The historical crisis in 1962 that brought the U.S. and the USSR to the brink of nuclear war is known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. It began when U.S. intelligence discovered Soviet nuclear missiles stationed in Cuba, just 90 miles off the coast of Florida. The U.S. government, led by President John F. Kennedy, imposed a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent further shipments of military equipment. For thirteen tense days, the world faced the threat of nuclear conflict, with both superpowers negotiating to avert disaster. Ultimately, the crisis ended with the Soviet Union agreeing to withdraw its missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba.