On October 22, President Kennedy told the world about the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba and announced that a blockade was in force against all ships bound for Cuba. Kennedy demanded the removal of the missiles from Cuba.

For several days the world held its breath as the United States and Soviet Union appeared to be moving toward nuclear war. Washington took its case to the United Nations and prepared for air strikes and a massive invasion of Cuba.

Havana announced a "combat alarm" -- more than a quarter-million Cubans stood ready to repel a U.S. invasion. Soviet forces on the island were equipped with nuclear-tipped tactical missiles, ready to answer any invader.

In the United States, a wave of panic buying swept across the country as people tried to prepare for a possible nuclear holocaust. And though Soviet leaders tried to keep the crisis from their people, the news was leaking out, raising fears.
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