Learn more about the National Archives records and resources related to the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. And get ready for the redesigned National Archives Catalog!
Map of Aircraft Locations in Cuba. This map was used in President John F. Kennedy's Cuban Missile Crisis meetings, standing committee, September 1962 to October 1962 to show aircraft locations in Cuba. National Archives Identifier 595343
At the height of the Cold War, for two weeks in October 1962, the world teetered on the edge of thermonuclear war. Earlier that fall, the Soviet Union, under orders from Premier Nikita Khrushchev, began to secretly deploy a nuclear strike force in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States. President John F. Kennedy said the missiles would not be tolerated and insisted on their removal. Khrushchev refused. The standoff nearly caused a nuclear exchange and is remembered in this country as the Cuban Missile Crisis. For 13 agonizing days—from October 16 through October 28—the United States and the Soviet Union stood on the brink of nuclear war. The peaceful resolution of the crisis with the Soviets is considered to be one of Kennedy’s greatest achievements.
First meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council which was formed to discuss responses to Soviet missiles in Cuba. John F. Kennedy Presidential Papers. Meetings: Tape 28. Cuba, 16 October 1962. Transcript of Off the Record Meeting on Cuba October 16, 1962 11:50 A.M. to 12:57 P.M. National Archives Identifier 193721
Reading copy of President John F. Kennedy's radio and television address to the American people regarding the Soviet Union's military presence in Cuba, October 22, 1962. National Archives Identifier 193899
Photographers and film cameramen swarm President Kennedy at his desk in the Oval Office upon signing the Cuba Quarantine Order, October 23, 1962. National Archives Identifier 6817196
Theodore Sorensen Papers, 1934 - 2003, Administration Records, 1961 - 1964, Map of the United States Showing the Range of Missiles. National Archives Identifier 7065390
Learn more about the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis with these National Archives resources:
We recently introduced a preview of the newly redesigned National Archives Catalog. We hope you’ve had a chance to check it out! This new and improved Catalog maximizes our ability to make the records of the National Archives even more accessible.
We are introducing new features to our preview version of the new Catalog on a regular basis. In the next several weeks, look for several new features, including additional search options, Catalog user accounts, and the ability to add Citizen Archivist contributions.
You can expect to see a full transition to the new Catalog in November 2022. The legacy Catalog will remain the background until March 2023.
More information about the new Catalog and a list of available and upcoming features is available on archives.gov. Stay tuned for more information and updates!
