Fidel Castro takes power after the Cuban revolution. Tensions with the U.S. rise as the new Cuban government begins expropriating American-owned properties.

» CBC Archives: Fidel Castro: after the revolution

Cuba and the Soviet Union develop economic ties, and the U.S. imposes a trade embargo against Cuba. Cuba nationalizes its foreign banks and openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union's policies.

In January, relations between the U.S. and Cuba are broken off, and John F. Kennedy becomes the 35th U.S. President. In April, the Cuban army turns back an invasion attempt by an U.S.-backed group of Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs.

» CBC: Cubans remember the Bay of Pigs

American Jupiter missiles in Turkey become operational, well within range of Soviet targets.

Senator Kenneth Keating warns the Senate that the Soviets are building missile sites in Cuba and urges Kennedy to take action.

If the U.S. attacks Cuba, that could mean war with the Soviet Union, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko warns in a speech to the UN.

Oct. 14-15: An American U2 spy plane flies over Cuba and provides photographs showing evidence of Soviet missile sites.

The next day, analysis of the images will trigger the Cuban missile crisis.

Kennedy calls an emergency meeting with military and political advisers — a group that would become known as ExComm (or Executive Committee). ExComm decides on a naval blockade after rejecting an air strike at the missile sites.

» Special report on the Cuban missile crisis

The world learns about the crisis when Kennedy addresses the nation in a televised speech and announces a naval blockade of Cuba until Soviet missiles are removed. The president warns the U.S. would retaliate if a Soviet missile is launched from Cuba.

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev says the presence of the missile sites are "solely to defend Cuba against the attack of an aggressor."

Oct. 24-25: Soviet ships head for Cuba but appear to alter course as they neared the quarantine zone. The following day, a Soviet oil tanker closes in on the blockade, but is let through.

Russia continues construction on the Cuban missile bases. Kennedy considers an invasion of Cuba. That night, the Soviets offer to dismantle the sites if the blockade is lifted, and the U.S. doesn't invade Cuba.

Khrushchev contacts Kennedy, demanding that U.S. missile sites in Turkey be dismantled. On the same day, a U2 plane is shot down over Cuba, and an U.S. pilot is killed. War looks imminent. That night, Kennedy sends Khrushchev a letter offering to end the blockade and not invade Cuba if the Soviets remove the missile bases. The president also agrees to dismantle the Turkish missile bases at a later date.

The crisis ends. Khrushchev agrees to remove the missiles in Cuba. The U.S. pledges not to invade Cuba and to remove American missiles from Turkey. The dismantling of missiles in Turkey as part of the deal remains secret until 1989.

Russian bombers leave Cuba, and Kennedy lifts the naval blockade.

The U.S. sends Cuba medicine and food in exchange for exiles captured in the Bay of Pigs invasion.

The "hot-line" — a system for direct communication between the U.S. and Soviet leaders during a crisis — begins operation.