Title: JFK Televised Address on Cuban Missile Crisis

" Welcome to the John F Kennedy presidential speech series. Cuban missile crisis was perhaps the greatest test of John Kennedy's presence. In 1962 Soviet Union was desperately behind the United States in the arms race. Soviet missiles were only powerful enough to be launched against Europe -- US missiles capable of striking the entire Soviet Union. In late April 1962 Soviet Crimea Nikita Khrushchev. Conceived the idea of placing intermediate range missiles in Cuba. A deployment in Cuba would double the Soviet strategic arsenal and provide a real deterrent to a potential US attack against -- Soviet Union. Meanwhile Fidel Castro was looking for a way to defend his island nation prominent tech by the US news. Ever since the failed bay of pigs invasion in 1961 Castro felt a second attack was inevitable. Consequently he approved of cruise ships plan to please missiles on the island. In the summer of 1962 Soviet Union worked quickly and secretly to build its missile installations in Cuba. On October 15 1962 -- US spy plane secretly photographed nuclear missile sites under construction in Cuba. Because he didn't want Cuba and the Soviet Union to know that he knew about the missiles president Kennedy met in secret -- advises for several days to discuss the problem. After many long and difficult meetings Kennedy decided to please -- naval blockade. Or ring of ships around Cuba to prevent the Soviets from bringing in more military supplies and demanded the removal of the missiles and the destruction of the sites. -- 7 PM on Monday October 22 1962. President Kennedy appeared on television to inform Americans there recently discovered Soviet military buildup in Cuba. Including ongoing installation of offensive nuclear missiles. Inform the people of the united states of the quarantine placed around Cuba by the US navy. The president stated that any nuclear missile launch from Cuba would be regarded as an attack on the United States by the Soviet Union and demanded that the Soviets remove all of their offensive weapons from Cuba. The Cuban missile crisis was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. United States armed forces were at their highest state redness ever more than 100000 troops deployed to Florida for a possible invasion of Cuba. Additional naval vessels were ordered to the Caribbean. B 50 twos loaded with a nuclear weapons were in the air at all times. And Soviet field commanders in Cuba were prepared to use battlefield nuclear weapons to defend the island if it was invaded. -- 13 days the world waited hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. No one was sure how to Soviet leader would respond to the naval blockade and US demands. Recognizing the devastating possibility of a nuclear war Khrushchev turned his ships back. The Soviets agreed to dismantle the weapons sites in exchange the United States agreed not to invade Cuba. In a separate unpublicized deal the US agreed to remove its nuclear missiles from Turkey. The following is a televised address delivered by president Kennedy to the American people. On October 22 1962 reporting on the Soviet arms buildup in Cuba."

" Good evening my fellow citizens. This government and promised. Has maintained close his surveillance of the Soviet military buildup on the island of Cuba. Within the past week unmistakable evidence headed out into the back. They carried -- and -- missile site."

" Is now in preparation or not imprisoned up. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to providing nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere. I'm receiving the -- preliminary hide information of this make your life Tuesday morning at 9 AM. I directed that our surveillance he stepped up. And having now confirmed and completed our evaluation of the evidence. An odd occasion on a course of action this government feels obliged to report this new crisis to you in both the -- The characteristic of these new missile site indicate two distinct types of installations. Several of them include medium range ballistic missiles. Capable of carrying a nuclear warhead for a distance of more than 1000 nautical miles. We give these missiles in York. He's capable of striking Washington DC the Panama canal cape Canaveral Mexico City. Or any other city in the southeastern part of the United States in Central America or in the Caribbean area. Additional sites not yet completed -- good to be designed for intermediate range ballistic missiles. Capable of traveling more than twice as Bob. And that's capable of striking most of the major cities in the Western Hemisphere. Ranging just gone off the titans de Canada and its -- now is Lima Peru. In addition get bombers. Capable of carrying nuclear weapons are now being on -- and assembled in Cuba. By the necessary air -- being prepared. Good spirit and transformation of Cuba into an important strategic base. By the presence of these -- long range and clearly offensive weapons a sudden mass destruction. Constitute an explicit threat to the peace and security of all the Americans. In flagrant and deliberate defiance of the Rio pact of 1947. The traditions of this nation and hemisphere the joint resolution of the 87 congress. The charter of the United Nations and my own public warnings to the Soviets from September fought and 13. This action also contradicted repeated assurances of Soviet spokesman. Both publicly and privately delivered but beyond build up in Cuba would retain its original defensive character. And that the Soviet Union had no need or desire the nation's strategic metals on the territory of any other nation. The size of this undertaking makes clear that you've been planned for some months. Yet only last month month after -- made clear distinction between any introduction of ground to ground missiles. And the existence of defensive anti aircraft missiles. The Soviet government publicly stated on September 11 that and I quote. The parliament and military equipment sent to Cuba. I designed exclusively for defensive purposes unquote that there is and I quote the Soviet government there is no need for the Soviet government. The ship its weapons. Brave retaliatory blow to any other country for instance Cuba unquote and that and I quote the government the Soviet Union. As a powerful rockets to carry these nuclear warhead. That there is no need to search for site. For them beyond the boundaries of the Soviet Union un quote that statement was brawl. Only my -- big as evidence of this rapid offensive buildup was already in my hand. Soviet Foreign Minister -- Told me in my office that he -- instructed to make it clear once again as he -- government had already done. The Soviet assistance to Cuba and I quote. Pursued solely the purpose. Of contributing to the defense capability to Cuba unquote. That and I quote him training by Soviet specialist of Cuban national. In handling defensive armaments -- by no means offensive. And it -- arrive arrives mr. Demeco went on the Soviet government would never become involved. In rendering such -- that I'm quote. That statement also would fall. Neither of the United States of America northern rural community of nations. Can tolerate deliberate deception and offensive threat on the part of any nation large -- small. We no longer live in a world. We're all in the actual firing of weapons represent faith sufficient challenge to a nation's security to constitute maximum apparel. Nuclear weapons -- so destructive and ballistic missiles a postscript. That any substantially increased possibility of their use. Or any sudden change in their deployment may well be regarded as a definite threat defeat. For many of both the Soviet Union and the United States recognizing the fact. Have deployed strategic nuclear weapons with great okay. Never upsetting precarious status quo which insure that these weapons would not be used in the absence of some vital talent. Our own strategic missiles have never been transferred to the territory of any other nation under a cloak of secrecy and deception. And our history. Unlike out of the Soviet since we end of World War II. Demonstrate that we have no desire to dominate our car got any other nation. Or impose our system upon -- people. Nevertheless American citizens have become adjusted to living daily on the bold -- Soviet missiles. Located inside the US pissed off or in submarine. And that -- missiles in Cuba add to an already clear and present danger. Although it should be noted the nations of Latin America and never previously been subjected to a potential nuclear threat. But this Cooper -- extraordinary buildup of Communist missiles. In an area well known to have a special an historical relationship to the United States and the nations of the Western Hemisphere. In violation of Soviet assurances. And defiance of American and hemispheric policy. This -- clandestine decision. The nation's strategic weapons for the first time outside of Soviet soil. If they'd deliberately provocative and unjustified change in the status quo which cannot be accepted by this country. If -- courage and -- commitment. Are -- to be -- to begin by -- Brenda -- The 1930s taught us a clear lesson. Aggressive conduct if allowed to go unchecked and unchallenged ultimately lead to -- off. This nation as opposed to war we are also through lower. On -- objective therefore must be to prevent the use of these missiles against this or any other country. And it's secure their withdrawal or elimination from the Western Hemisphere. Our policy has been one of patience and restraint. -- B 50 people and powerful nation which -- worldwide alliance. We have been determined not to be diverted from a central concern by mere irritant and fanatic. But now further action is required and ideas under way and the action may only be the beginning. We will not prematurely or unnecessarily. -- but caught a worldwide nuclear war in which even that proved to victory would be active in our mouth. But neither will we shrink from that risk at any time it must be -- Acting therefore the defense of our own security and of the entire Western Hemisphere. And under the authority entrusted to me by the constitution -- endorsed by the -- resolution of the congress. I've directed that the following initial step be taken immediate threat. I hope that the -- to build up a strict quarantine on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba is being initiated. Ownership of any kind bound to Cuba from whatever nation helped -- out. Where they found to contain Congo's of offensive weapons being turned back. This quarantine will be extended if needed to other types of Chicago and carry it. We -- not at this time however the nine necessities of life at the Soviet attempted to do in their Berlin blockade of 19482 I have directed the continued and increased close surveillance of Cuba and it military buildup. The foreign ministers of the OAS in their communique of October 6. Rejected that could -- in such matters in this hemisphere. -- these defensive military preparations continue thus increasing the threat to the hemisphere further action will be justified. I have directed the armed forces to prepare for any eventuality. And I trusted in the entrapped the -- the Cuban people and the Soviet technicians at the site. The head bid to all concerned at continuing the threat we'll be recognized there. It shall be the policy of this nation -- god any nuclear missile launch from Cuba are against any nation in the Western Hemisphere. As an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States. Requiring -- retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union. Fought as a necessary military precaution. I have reinforced our basic one -- all evacuated today the dependents of our personnel they have. And ordered additional military units to be on the standby alert them to. There we are calling tonight for an immediate meeting of the organization of consultation under the Organization of American States. To consider this threat to hemispheric security. And to invoke article -- eight of the Rio treaty in support of all necessary action. United Nations -- allowed for regional security arrangements. And the nations of this hemisphere decided long ago against the military presence of outside powers. Our other allies around the world have also been aware that. Under the charter of the United Nations we are asking tonight that an emergency meeting of the security -- be can vote without delay. Take action against this latest Soviet threat to world peace. I resolution were called for the prop dismantling and withdrawal of all offensive weapons in Cuba. Under the supervision of UN observers. Before the quarantine it can be lifted. Seventh and finally. I call upon chairman -- The hall and eliminate this planned this time reckless and provocative threat to world peace and stable relations between our two nations. I call upon him further to abandon this course of world domination. And the yards in the historic effort to end the perilous -- and a friend on the history of man. He had an opportunity now to move the world back from the abyss of destruction. By returning to a government over words. That it had no need to station missiles outside its own territory and withdrawing these weapons from Cuba. By refraining from any action which -- wide -- deep in the present crisis. And then by participating in the search for peaceful and permanent solution. This nation is prepared to present its case against the Soviet threat to peace. And our own proposals very peaceful world at any time and in any form in the OAS in the United Nations. Or any other meeting that could be used. Without limiting our freedom of action. We have in the past made strenuous efforts to limit the spread of nuclear weapon. We have proposed the elimination of all mom and military bases in a fair and effective disarmament treaty. We are prepared to discuss new proposal for the removal of tensions on both sides. Including the possibility of a genuinely independent Cuba created determine its own destiny we have no wish to roll the Soviet Union. We are peaceful people who desire to live in peace -- all of the people. But it is difficult to settle or even discuss these problems in an atmosphere of intimidation. That is why this latest Soviet threat. Or any -- threat. Which is made either independently or in response to our actions that we must and will be met with determination. Any hostile move anywhere in the world against the safety and freedom of people -- who we are committed. Including in particular the brave people of west Berlin would be met by whatever action is needed. Finally I want to say a few words of the captive people of Cuba to whom this speech is being directly carried by special radio facilities. I speak you had a friend -- want to know to go deep attachment to your fatherland. -- want to hear your aspiration for liberty and justice for all. And I brought in the American people abroad with deep sorrow how your national revolution was betrayed. And how your fatherland fell under foreign domination. Now you alluded to no longer Cuban leaders. Inspired by Cuban ideals they're puppets and agents of an international conspiracy. We just turned Huber against your friends and neighbors in the America. And turned it into the first Latin American country to become a kind of a nuclear war. The first Latin American country who have these weapons on its soil. These new weapons are not in your impressed they contribute nothing GOP and wellbeing they can only undermine it. But this country has no way to court you to stop what ought to impose any system upon. We know that you're alive and -- being used that spawned by those who deny your freedom. Many times in the past the Cuban people have risen to throw out tyrant who destroyed their liberty. And I have no doubt the most Cubans today. Look forward to the time when they will be truly free free from foreign domination created through their -- leaders. -- to select their own system. Freedom all their own land route to speak and write and worship without -- degradation. And then -- be welcome back of the society of free nations and the association that this chemistry. My fellow citizens -- no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous path on which we have been out. No one can foresee precisely what course it would take or what -- or casualties will be incurred. Many months to sacrifice. And self discipline Lionhead month in which both population and now well will be kept it. Month in which many threat and renunciation will keep us aware about changes. But the greatest danger at all would be to do nothing. The path we have chosen for the president is full of -- at all path. But it is the one most consistent with -- odd character and courage as a nation and our commitments around the world. The cost of freedom has always time but Americans have always paid. And one path we shall never -- that the path of surrender or submission. Our goal is not the victory of might but the vindication of right. Not peek at the expense of freedom but both peace and freedom here in this hemisphere. And we hope around the world. God willing that goal will be achieved. Thank you and good night"