60 years ago, the world was on the brink of a Third World War.
After the end of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union became enemies in what was known as the Cold War. Tensions rose between the two superpowers in many places around the world.
Towards the end of the 1950s, Fidel Castro, a Communist revolutionary, came to power in Cuba. He was supported by the Soviet Union.
In 1961, Cubans who were against Castro tried to overturn him. Funded by the American government, they invaded Cuba, but were defeated by Castro’s army.
Castro was afraid that the United States would invade again, and in 1962, he allowed the Soviet Union to install nuclear missiles on the island.
In October 1962, the United States received proof that Soviet rocket systems were being set up in Cuba – missiles that could easily hit the United States, only 159 km away. The United States reacted by setting up a blockade of Cuban harbours in an attempt to stop the Soviet Union from delivering missiles.
After days of talks, an agreement was reached between Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. The Americans promised not to invade Cuba and, in return, the Soviets would take down their missiles.
CIA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
