Nikita Khrushchev placed nuclear missiles in Cuba in 1962.

Background
- During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a nuclear arms race.
- In 1961, the United States attempted to overthrow the Cuban government in the Bay of Pigs invasion, which failed.
- The Soviet Union saw an opportunity to gain a strategic advantage over the United States by placing nuclear missiles in Cuba.

Timeline
- In July 1962, Soviet ships began secretly transporting missiles and other military equipment to Cuba.
- On October 14, 1962, a U.S. spy plane discovered the missile sites in Cuba.
- On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation and announced that the Soviet Union was building missile bases in Cuba.
- Over the next 13 days, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a tense standoff known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- On October 28, 1962, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba and to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey.

Impact
- The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war.
- It highlighted the danger of nuclear weapons and the importance of diplomacy in resolving international conflicts.
- It also led to improved communication channels between the United States and the Soviet Union, including the creation of a direct hotline between the leaders of the two countries.