60 years ago, in October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of a nuclear war. The declassification of many secret primary sources in the past decades makes it possible to provide a much more accurate description and a deeper context of these decisive “Thirteen Days.” President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who bear some responsibility for the dangerous crisis, tried to avoid a nuclear confrontation at all costs. They learned crucial lessons, started to build trust, and worked on détente agreements.

The Cuban Missile Crisis not only signifies the most dangerous confrontation during the Cold War, but can also help to learn about crisis management and crisis resolution that are once again of special relevance today.

The exhibition was curated by students of the Amerika-Institut of LMU under the direction of historian Dr. Andreas Etges, a leading expert on the Kennedy presidency, and Alexandra Schenke, in cooperation with the Museum Berlin-Karlshorst.

Photo: ©Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Boston