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Fidel Castro leads a revolution that sset up a socialist state in Cuba
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Cuba openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies
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The US ends all its diplomatic and consuler relations with Cuba
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The "hot-line" begins operation - a system for direct communication between the US and the Soviet leaders during a crisis.
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JFK learns the Soviets were secretly building missile bases in Cuba after a U-2 flying over western Cuba shot photographs of missile sites
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JFK calls an emergency meeting with a group called ExComm (Executive Comittee) - a group of military and political advisers - decide on a naval blockade of Cuba until Soviet missiles are removed. JFK also warns that the U.S. would retaliate if a Soviet missile is launched from Cuba.
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Soviets continue construction on the missile bases. JFK considers an invasion of Cuba, but the Soviets offer to dismantle the sites if the blockade is lifted.
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A U2 plane is shot down over Cuba, and a US pilot is killed. That night, Kennedy offers to end the blockade and to not invade Cuba if the Soviets remove the missile bases.
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Russian bombers leave Cuba and the US ends the naval blockade
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The US sends Cuba medicine and food in exchange for the Americans captured in the Bay of Pigs invasion.
