Today in History: October 16, Cuban Missile Crisis begins

"Today is Thursday, Oct. 16, the 289th day of 2025. There are 76 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 16, 1962, the Cuban missile crisis began as President John F. Kennedy was informed that reconnaissance photographs had revealed the presence of Soviet nuclear missile sites in Cuba. Also on this date: In 1758, American lexicographer Noah Webster was born in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1793, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, was beheaded during the French Revolution."

"In 1859, radical abolitionist John Brown led an unsuccessful raid on the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry in what was then western Virginia. The raid failed to spark Brown's intended slave rebellion, but deepened North-South animosities leading to the Civil War. (Ten of Brown's men were killed, others fled, and Brown and six followers were caught and executed.) In 1934, Chinese communists, under siege by the Nationalists, began their long march lasting a year from southeastern to northwestern China."

"In 1964, China set off its first atomic bomb, codenamed 596, on the Lop Nur Test Ground. In 1968, American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos sparked controversy at the Mexico City Olympics by giving Black power salutes during a victory ceremony after they had won gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter race. In 1978, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (voy-TEE'-wah) to be the new pope; he took the name John Paul II."

October 16, 1962, marked the start of the Cuban missile crisis when President John F. Kennedy learned reconnaissance photographs revealed Soviet nuclear missile sites in Cuba. Other events on the date include Noah Webster's 1758 birth and Marie Antoinette's 1793 execution. In 1859, John Brown's failed Harpers Ferry raid deepened North–South animosities before the Civil War. In 1934, Chinese communists began the yearlong Long March. China tested its first atomic bomb in 1964. In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised Black power salutes at the Mexico City Olympics. Additional notable events include the 1978 election of Pope John Paul II and the 1987 Baby Jessica rescue.

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