Day 4 - October 19
Nothing much related to the Cuban missile crisis happens today. Kennedy leaves for a scheduled trip to Ohio and Illinois. In Washington, Kennedy's group of advisers, known as EXCOMM, continues debating what to do about the situation.
Day 5 - October 20
Kennedy returns to Washington and decides with his advisors to quarantine Cuba. Plans for the quarantine are drawn up and Kennedy begins his national address about the situation. In his return from Chicago, Kennedy fabricates the lie that he had a cold so he had to return without arousing public concern.
Day 6 - October 21
The blockade works and Soviet freighters turn back. One ship is allowed to sail through because it is only carrying petroleum. UN Secretary General calls for a cooling off period, but it is rejected by Kennedy.
Day 7 - October 22
October 22 marks the beginning of the most serious parts and the highest points of tension during the crisis. Kennedy contacts former presidents Truman, Hoover and Eisenhower to brief them on the situation. He also formally creates EXCOMM, and instructs them to meet everyday during the crisis. President Kennedy writes to Nikita Khrushchev, Premier of the Soviet Union, about the situation:
"I have not assumed that you or any other sane man would In this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which it is crystal clear no country could win and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the whole world, including the aggressor."
At 7:00 p.m. Kennedy addresses the nation about the evidence of Soviet missile buildup on Cuba. He also announces the naval quarantine and says it will remain until the Soviet Union dismantles the missile sites.
"This Government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet military build-up on the island of Cuba. Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive Missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere."
"I have not assumed that you or any other sane man would In this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which it is crystal clear no country could win and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the whole world, including the aggressor."
At 7:00 p.m. Kennedy addresses the nation about the evidence of Soviet missile buildup on Cuba. He also announces the naval quarantine and says it will remain until the Soviet Union dismantles the missile sites.
"This Government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet military build-up on the island of Cuba. Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive Missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere."
