October 23: Between October 14th and 27th of 1962, was the period during which our existence has been threatened by a nuclear war between the two antagonistic super powers: the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America.

Fidel Castro embracing Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev,1961.

The Soviets installed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from US shores, seeking anger.

In October 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union faced off at sea when it was discovered that the Soviets were constructing nuclear missile bases in Cuba. The tense standoff for 13 days was known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

However, the United States had set up a missile base in Turkey, aimed at Moscow. In addition, the CIA tried to overthrow Fidel Castro, but failed. The Soviet commander in Cuba was empowered to shoot missiles in case of invasion ... and ... the destiny of humanity was left in the decisions of two men: John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev.

Fear invaded humanity. On October 23, 1962, an American naval cordon around Cuba unfolded, leading to a real naval blockade.

Fidel Castro was the communist Cuban leader that was aligned with the Soviets. USA trained people to start a counter-revolution to get rid of communism but were annihilated. This was the closest that the world has ever come to Nuclear Warfare, it was also the first time that Mutually Assured Destruction had been discussed to determine an international arms agreement. 

The Soviets said they did not divert their naval fleets aimed at protecting Cuba. Most people thought it was the end of the world and the end of life.

Like in game theory ... the Russians chickened out fortunately ... otherwise it would have been an assured mutual and global atomic destruction!

Map of western hemisphere showing the full range of the nuclear missiles under construction in Cuba, used during the secret meetings on the Cuban crisis, in October 1962.