What event is known as the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The Cuban Missile Crisis refers specifically to the 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over the presence of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. This event is significant as it represented a major moment of heightened tension during the Cold War, bringing the world closer to nuclear conflict than ever before. Following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, which was an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government, the Soviet Union began to deploy missiles in Cuba to protect its ally and to counter the U.S. military presence in nearby Florida.

The U.S. response included a naval blockade to prevent further shipments of military equipment to Cuba and intense negotiations with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Ultimately, the crisis was resolved through a mutual agreement whereby the U.S. agreed not to invade Cuba in exchange for the withdrawal of Soviet missiles. This episode exemplified the dangers of nuclear escalation and highlighted the intricate diplomatic maneuvers of the Cold War era.