A Soviet-chartered freighter is stopped at the quarantine line and searched for contraband military supplies. None are found and the ship is allowed to proceed to Cuba. Photographic evidence shows accelerated construction of the missile sites and the uncrating of Soviet IL-28 bombers at Cuban airfields. 

Left: Protesters, both for and against the President's actions on Cuba, converge outside the White House gates

Read summary record of sixth ExComm meeting

In a private letter, Fidel Castro urges Nikita Khrushchev to initiate a nuclear first strike against the United States in the event of an American invasion of Cuba.

Read Fidel Castro's letter

John Scali, ABC News reporter, is approached by Aleksander Fomin of the Soviet embassy staff with a proposal for a solution to the crisis.

Read John Scali's account

Later, a long, rambling letter from Khrushchev to Kennedy makes a similar offer: removal of the missiles in exchange for lifting the quarantine and a pledge that the U.S. will not invade Cuba.

Below: Premier Khrushchev's letter to President Kennedy, October 26, 1962

Read text of Premier Khrushchev's letter

Listen to President Kennedy's telephone call with British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan
Read Text of the telephone conversation