October 14, 1962 - American U-2 spy plane detects installations in Cuba

October 15, 1962 - Analysts confirm presence of missiles in Cuba

October 16, 1962 - Kennedy meets with Ex-comm  and is presented with 3 options - Airstrikes against missiles, a blockade of Cuba, and negotiations.

October 22, 1962 - Kennedy announces presence of missiles to the nation, and announces a quarantine of Cuba

October 23, 1962 - Kennedy and Khrushchev exchange communications, and quarantine begins. Crisis is presented to the U.N. security council. Soviet ships headed for Cuba stop

October 24, 1962 - Khrushchev accuses U.S. of threatening the Soviet Union in a letter to Kennedy

October 25, 1962 - Soviet arms freighters turn back, but an oil tanker continues. Kennedy allows it to continue to Cuba

October 26, 1962 - Khrushchev sends letter to Kennedy suggesting compromise

October 27, 1962 - U.S. pilot is shot down over Cuba, Khrushchev sends letter to Kennedy demanding harsher terms. Robert Kennedy and Anatoly Dobrynin discuss terms, and come to an agreement

October 28, 1962 - Khrushchev concedes, and the deal is struck. Crisis ends