This Day in History: , Cuban Missile Crisis .br October 22, 1962 .br In a grave televised speech, br President John F. Kennedybr announced that U.S. spy planes hadbr discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba. .br These missile sites housed br medium-range missiles capable br of striking a number of major br U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C. .br Kennedy announced that he was ordering a naval “quarantine” of Cuba. .br Its purpose was to prevent br Soviet ships from transporting br any more offensive weapons to the island. .br Its purpose was to prevent br Soviet ships from transporting br any more offensive weapons to the island. .br Kennedy threatened the br use of military action to br end a “clandestine, reckless, br and provocative threat to world peace.” .