Today in history: October 22

October 22, 1962: Going public with his knowledge of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, President Kennedy demanded their removal and announced a naval "quarantine" of Cuba. In a nationwide TV address, Kennedy said any Soviet missiles fired anywhere in the Western hemisphere would be regarded as an attack on the U.S., "requiring a full retaliatory response." After a tense standoff — and a U.S. attack on Cuba looming — the Soviets eventually agreed to remove the missiles. Easily the most dangerous chapter of the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis nearly led to nuclear war between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Analysts estimate a nuclear exchange between the two nations would have killed 100 million Americans and 100 million Soviets.

October 22, 1965: President Johnson signed the Highway Beautification Act. Goal: Limit advertising billboards, junkyards, and general ugliness along America's interstate highways.

Quote of the Day

"Only strength can cooperate. Weakness can only beg." — Dwight D. Eisenhower

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