Video: October 20, 1962 (at 0:00)
(Saturday, October 20, 1962, day five of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy, in Chicago campaigning for congressional candidates, decides to return to the White House as the crisis reaches a new urgency. After five hours of discussion with top advisors, a quarantine is decided upon. Continue reading Kennedy, advisers decide to quarantine Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: October 19, 1962 (at 8:08)
(Friday, October 19, 1962, day four of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy met today with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss the military options for responding to the missiles in Cuba. Continue reading Kennedy advisers debate whether to bomb, invade and/or blockade Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: October 18, 1962 (at 7:40)
(Thursday, October 18, 1962, 5:00 p.m. EDT, day three of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko met with U.S. President John F. Kennedy today at the White House and assured him that Soviet military actions in Cuba were purely defensive. Continue reading Gromyko lies to JFK about Soviet military actions in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: October 17, 1962 (at 6:55)
(Wednesday, October 17, 1962, day two of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — American U-2 flights identified the first of three Soviet SS-5 missile sites in Cuba today. Continue reading American U-2 flights identify three Soviet SS-5 missile sites in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: Oct. 16, 1972 (1:40)
(Monday, October 16, 1972, during the Vietnam War, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon, in a surprise appearance before a Washington gathering of wives and families of prisoners of war and men missing in action, declared today that he got “precious little support” for his Vietnam strategy from those who, he said, are supposed to be the opinion leaders of the country. Continue reading Nixon turns against critics as peace in Vietnam nears 40 years ago today (1972)
Video: October 15, 1962 (at 0:10)
(Monday, October 15, 1962, during the Cold War) — The CIA’s National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) today reviewed 928 images, taken the day before by the U-2 overflight, and identified offensive missiles and lanuchers had been placed in Cuba.
Video: October 14, 1962 (at 7:54)
(Sunday, October 14, 1962, during the Cold War) — A United States Air Force U-2 plane, piloted by Major Richard Heyser on a photoreconnaissance mission, captured photographic proof today of what turned out to be an SS-4 construction site at San Cristóbal, Pinar del Río Province, in western Cuba. Continue reading U.S. discovers Soviet SS-4 construction site in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: Oct. 8, 1972 (0:41)
(Sunday, October 8, 1972, during the Vietnam War, part of the Cold War) — At the Paris Peace Talks, North Vietnam’s negotiator, Le Duc Tho reached an agreement today with Henry Kissinger of the United States on ending the Vietnam War. Continue reading Major breakthrough reached in Vietnam War peace talks 40 years ago today (1972)
Video: 'British Nuclear Test "Hurricane"'
(Friday, October 3, 1952) — Britain conducted its first atomic test today as it detonated a 25-kiloton device in the Monte Bello Islands off Australia.
Video: Sept. 27, 1972 (0:09)
(Wednesday, September 27, 1972, during the Vietnam War) — U.S. National Security Advisor Henry A. Kissinger arrived in Washington from Paris tonight amid rumors, which were strongly denied by the White House, that there had been a breakthrough in Vietnam peace negotiations.
