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The Cuban Missile Crisis and Cold War

The Cuban Missile Crisis and Cold War

  • Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Bay of Pigs Aftermath
  • Shoring Up the Defenses
  • Life in a Cold War Climate
  • Civil Defense

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

In the wake of the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961, the Soviet Union’s presence and influence in Cuba grew, and with it, the construction of missile shelter tents to house medium-range nuclear missiles, a steady delivery of armaments, and the arrival of Soviet technicians for construction and to help train local forces. In May of 1961 Castro declared Cuba a socialist state aligned with the Eastern Bloc, and reached out to the Soviet Union for help to counter perceived incidences and threats of aggression from the United States. The ensuing hostilities and counter threats between the two nations almost came to a head by mid-October. However, the crisis was averted by the end of the month, when Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba, and President Kennedy lifted the naval blockade he had imposed on the island. On December 21, an agreement was reached for the release of 1,113 Bay of Pig veterans in exchange for food and medicine.

Florida's geographical location at the southernmost tip of the continental United States and the absence of major cities and densely populated areas would probably not have made the state an ideal target for a nuclear attack, as the fallout impact would not be as devastating as at targets elsewhere. Nevertheless,  the state became ground zero for preparation for strikes and counter attacks in the event of Soviet hostilities or provocation from the regime in Cuba, a situation caused by its location a mere 90 miles from the coast of Cuba, and the recent arrival of large numbers of Cuban citizens fleeing the Castro regime.

President and Mrs. Kennedy, accompanied by Miami Mayor Robert King High, walk towards the ceremony honoring the returning Bay of Pigs veterans in the Orange Bowl Stadium. At right in the background is Pierre Salinger, White House Press Secretary. December 29, 1962. Toby Massey photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-4469.

Full Image

President Kennedy reviews the veterans.  Visible in the background are some of the thousands of Cuban exiles that attended the event. December 29, 1962. Charles Trainor, photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-21739.

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Veterans salute President Kennedy in the Orange Bowl Stadium. At the podium with President and Mrs. Kennedy are from left:  Miami Mayor Robert King High, Manuel Franciso Artime Buesa, M. D. (political leader of Brigade 2506) and Jose Miro Cardona (head of the exile group, Cuban Revolutionary Council). December 29, 1962. Charles Trainor, photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-21744.

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President Kennedy examines the Brigade 2506 flag which was presented to him. Mrs. Kennedy and Jose Miro Cardona (in suit) look on. December 29, 1962. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-21740.

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Anti-Castro Cuban exiles train on No Name Key. This was a preliminary training site; volunteers who made the grade went to other camps in the Everglades for more intensive training. The trainees lived in the old abandon homes shown at left. October 10, 1962.  Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-4599.

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Trainees gather for lessons on tactics of jungle fighting. October 10, 1962. Richard Agnew photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-4601.

Full Image

Hercules missiles dot the missile site of D Battery, 2nd Missile Base, 52nd Artillery, near Homestead. 1963. U. S. Army photo, John Dean photographer, Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1994-370-884.

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Architect Harry O. Nelson’s rendering of an air raid shelter for a private dwelling in Miami in 1940 serves as a portent of things to come. The comfortable structure is complete with rug and oxygen tank. December 17, 1940. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-82.

Full Image

Grant Stockdale and group put up banners for The Crusade for Freedom campaign on Flagler Street. One of the Crusade’s missions was to provide funding for radio broadcasts to counter anti-United States propaganda. Parades and meetings were held across the United States, and citizens were given the opportunity to sign the Freedom Scroll. September 27, 1951. Ed Pierce, photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-2881.

Full Image

A utilitarian, readymade steel bomb shelter complete with installation and food supplies is displayed for sale. September 22, 1961. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3877.

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Mrs. Stewart and her son, David, relax in their multiple-use fallout shelter. The interior of the shelter mimics the comforts of home, with two beloved dogs, a TV, telephone and wall décor. August 3, 1964. Charles Trainor photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3875.

Full Image

Dr. F. Archer poses with his rifle at ready in a sparsely furnished cinderblock shelter. March 7, 1967. Jay Spencer photographer.  Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3882.

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The Dade County Civil Defense office’s downtown air raid siren was placed atop the Congress Building and could be heard within an eight mile radius. January 1953. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-5200 and 5201.

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The Dade County Civil Defense office’s downtown air raid siren was placed atop the Congress Building and could be heard within an eight mile radius. January 1953. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-5200 and 5201.

Full Image

A group of African American and white citizens take part in a nighttime Dade County Civil Defense first aid drill. January 14, 1960. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-5212.

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Barbara Bradford and Marion Boldt take shelter under their desks during an air raid drill at Edison High. January 8, 1952. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3867.

Full Image

BAY OF PIGS AFTERMATH

President and Mrs. Kennedy, accompanied by Miami Mayor Robert King High, walk towards the ceremony honoring the returning Bay of Pigs veterans in the Orange Bowl Stadium. At right in the background is Pierre Salinger, White House Press Secretary. December 29, 1962. Toby Massey photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-4469.

Full Image

President Kennedy reviews the veterans.  Visible in the background are some of the thousands of Cuban exiles that attended the event. December 29, 1962. Charles Trainor, photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-21739.

Full Image

Veterans salute President Kennedy in the Orange Bowl Stadium. At the podium with President and Mrs. Kennedy are from left:  Miami Mayor Robert King High, Manuel Franciso Artime Buesa, M. D. (political leader of Brigade 2506) and Jose Miro Cardona (head of the exile group, Cuban Revolutionary Council). December 29, 1962. Charles Trainor, photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-21744.

Full Image

President Kennedy examines the Brigade 2506 flag which was presented to him. Mrs. Kennedy and Jose Miro Cardona (in suit) look on. December 29, 1962. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-21740.

Full Image

SHORING UP THE DEFENSES IN MIAMI AND SOUTH FLORIDA

Anti-Castro Cuban exiles train on No Name Key. This was a preliminary training site; volunteers who made the grade went to other camps in the Everglades for more intensive training. The trainees lived in the old abandon homes shown at left. October 10, 1962.  Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-4599.

Full Image

Trainees gather for lessons on tactics of jungle fighting. October 10, 1962. Richard Agnew photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-4601.

Full Image

Hercules missiles dot the missile site of D Battery, 2nd Missile Base, 52nd Artillery, near Homestead. 1963. U. S. Army photo, John Dean photographer, Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1994-370-884.

Full Image

A soldier sizes up Hawk missiles at the base in Everglades National Park. March 1963. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1994-370-885.

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LIFE IN A COLD WAR CLIMATE

1950s - 1960s

Architect Harry O. Nelson’s rendering of an air raid shelter for a private dwelling in Miami in 1940 serves as a portent of things to come. The comfortable structure is complete with rug and oxygen tank. December 17, 1940. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-82.

Full Image

Grant Stockdale and group put up banners for The Crusade for Freedom campaign on Flagler Street. One of the Crusade’s missions was to provide funding for radio broadcasts to counter anti-United States propaganda. Parades and meetings were held across the United States, and citizens were given the opportunity to sign the Freedom Scroll. September 27, 1951. Ed Pierce, photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-2881.

Full Image

A utilitarian, readymade steel bomb shelter complete with installation and food supplies is displayed for sale. September 22, 1961. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3877.

Full Image

Dr. F. Archer poses with his rifle at ready in a sparsely furnished cinderblock shelter. March 7, 1967. Jay Spencer photographer.  Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3882.

Full Image

Mrs. Stewart and her son, David, relax in their multiple-use fallout shelter. The interior of the shelter mimics the comforts of home, with two beloved dogs, a TV, telephone and wall décor. August 3, 1964. Charles Trainor photographer. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3875.

Full Image

CIVIL DEFENSE

The Dade County Civil Defense office’s downtown air raid siren was placed atop the Congress Building and could be heard within an eight mile radius. January 1953. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-5200 and 5201.

Full Image

The Dade County Civil Defense office’s downtown air raid siren was placed atop the Congress Building and could be heard within an eight mile radius. January 1953. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-5200 and 5201.

Full Image

A group of African American and white citizens take part in a nighttime Dade County Civil Defense first aid drill. January 14, 1960. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1995-277-5212.

Full Image

Barbara Bradford and Marion Boldt take shelter under their desks during an air raid drill at Edison High. January 8, 1952. Miami News Collection, HistoryMiami. 1989-011-3867.

Full Image

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