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President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, igniting an embargo that would last more than 50 years.

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1. President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation on October 22, 1962, revealing the presence of offensive missile sites in Cuba established by the Soviet Union.
2. The missile sites included medium-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching major cities in the Western Hemisphere, posing a direct threat to the United States and its allies.
3. Kennedy emphasized that the presence of these weapons in Cuba violated international agreements and posed a significant danger to global peace and security.
4. He criticized the Soviet Union for deceptive statements regarding the defensive nature of the weapons in Cuba and highlighted the risk of nuclear conflict in the face of such aggressive actions.
5. Kennedy underscored the need for the US to respond decisively to protect the nation and its allies from the looming threat of nuclear war.
6. The speaker addressed the deployment of strategic weapons outside of Soviet soil, specifically in Cuba, emphasizing that this act was provocative and unjustified.
7. They announced a quarantine on offensive military equipment bound for Cuba, increased surveillance, and reinforcement of military bases.
8. The speaker warned that any nuclear missile launch from Cuba would be considered an attack requiring a full retaliatory response.
9. They called for international action through the Organization of American States and the United Nations to address the Soviet threat and urged Chairman Khrushchev to eliminate the weapons in Cuba and work towards peaceful solutions.
10. The speaker expressed willingness to engage in discussions for disarmament and peaceful resolutions but also stressed readiness to respond decisively to any hostile actions anywhere in the world.