John F. Kennedy was the U.S. President during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. This critical confrontation arose when the United States discovered Soviet nuclear missile installations in Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida. The crisis escalated tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, bringing the world close to nuclear conflict. Kennedy's administration faced significant pressure to respond decisively yet carefully to avoid escalation. Ultimately, Kennedy opted for a naval blockade of Cuba and engaged in tense negotiations with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. The resolution of the crisis was marked by a mutual agreement to withdraw missiles, showcasing diplomacy's importance in Cold War politics.