October 22 Birthday
On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy addressed the nation: "Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive missile sites is now in preparation" in Cuba. Kennedy announced a naval "quarantine" of Cuba. The world came closer to nuclear war than at any other moment in history. For thirteen days, the United States and the Soviet Union faced each other. Kennedy and Khrushchev exchanged letters. On October 27, a Soviet submarine commander nearly launched a nuclear torpedo. He required three officers' approval; one refused. On October 28, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles. Kennedy secretly agreed to remove US missiles from Turkey. People born on October 22 fall under the zodiac sign of Libra. The birthstone is Opal and the birth flower is Marigold. Historical events on October 22 include 1962: President Kennedy announces naval blockade of Cuba (Cuban Missile Crisis), 1797: André-Jacques Garnerin makes first parachute jump (from balloon 3,200 feet up), 1938: Xerography (photocopying) first demonstrated by Chester Carlson. Famous people born on October 22 include Franz Liszt (1811), Robert Rauschenberg (1925), Catherine Deneuve (1943).