The world gave a huge sigh of relief on this day in 1962, when an agreement to resolve the Cuban missile crisis was reached by the USA and the Soviet Union. The historic accord averted the immediate threat of nuclear war between the two superpowers.
The crisis started a fortnight earlier when a United States U2 reconnaissance plane spotted the existence of Soviet missiles on Cuban soil; giving them capacity to target the US from the Caribbean island.
On first examination of reconnaissance photos, military intelligence thought the Cubans had developed a new super cigar, although they were sceptical whether anyone had a mouth big enough to smoke it!
However, on closer scrutiny the wording of ‘Oleg’s Nuclear Missile Emporium, Minsk – Ask one of our friendly staff for a quote’, was spotted on the side of one missile. It then became apparent the Soviet’s had covertly positioned nuclear weapons on the territory of the US’s near neighbours!
In response, America immediately set up a naval blockade around Cuban waters, introduced sanctions and banned citizens from eating guacamole on Wednesdays.
When it was pointed out that guacamole was Mexican not Cuban they banned burritos instead! Having realised they were also Mexican, the ban was lifted and the word Hevos became discouraged!
JFK and brother Bobby during the tense stand off with the Soviets
If the Soviet ships, carrying further missiles, progressed as far as confronting the US ships blockading Cuba there was a very real risk of a military incident,. If that had taken place it may have been pivotal in escalating the crisis into a catastrophic nuclear war.
The worldwide tension for those thirteen days in October 1962 was tangible. The US president John F Kennedy spent hours with advisors locked in meeting rooms during the crisis…………. It was the last time he entrusted the Attourney General, brother Bobby Kennedy, with the door key!
JFK after he heard he was stuck after Bobby lost the key for the meeting rooms!
As apprehension grew, Soviet and Cuban migrants living in the US were ruthlessly targeted by cold callers trying to sell them insurance and exposed to back to back Lucille Ball shows.
As the Russian ships progressed ever closer to the US blockade, JFK decided there was only one strategy to resolve this, so he reached for the Bat Phone. Unfortunately, Batman was out of town so it was back to square one for the president.
Bobby Kennedy suggested he try Superman instead, but was told sternly by his brother “Don’t be so stupid! Superman is a fictional character!”
In the Soviet Union, leader Nikita Khrushchev appeared on television to tell his countrymen “Well you might not have two rubles to scratch your arse with but at least you have your health! ……… Apart from the one’s who are ill of course!”
This rhetoric stirred the Soviet people who held a car boot sale to raise funds for the war effort. Their hard work led to the sale of 37 car boots and a scented candle that had been an unwanted birthday present!
Finally, on 28th October 1962, the superpowers saw sense and an agreement was signed for the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba. In return the US agreed not to invade Cuba and to stop the cold calls from insurance salesmen and constant Lucille Ball re-runs!
The world breathes a sigh of relief
Nuclear war had been averted, resulting in JFK and Khrushchev receiving accolades for their diplomacy and pragmatism. In further good news, New Jersey insurance salesman Toofer One achieved employee of the month for his record sales to Hispanic and Soviet people over the fortnight!
