Photo of the Day

“Stick him.”

It is October 25, 1962, the tenth day of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

President Kennedy convened a special committee to advise him during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They are shown here in the Cabinet Room on October 29, 1962.

The US has obtained photos of Soviet offensive missile installations arrayed along Cuba’s northern coastline taken by U-2 high altitude surveillance flights and low-level US tactical fighter aircraft.

The Kennedy Administration believes that some of these missiles are operational and has called for their immediate removal.

CIA reference photograph of Soviet medium-range ballistic missile in Red Square.

And Kennedy has rejected the call of the UN Secretary General for a cooling off period since that would leave the missiles in place.

Range of Soviet SS-4 medium-range ballistic missiles and SS-5 intermediate-range ballistic missiles, if launched from Cuba.

So, on October 25, the UN Security Council meets to discuss the crisis, with the world watching on live television.¹

Attorney General Robert Kennedy stands. VIce President Lyndon Johnson is seated, center right.

There, Soviet UN Ambassador Zorin denies the presence of the missiles, calling the American allegations a lie.

Kennedy, Secretary of State Rusk, Secretary of Defense McNamara and Press Secretary Salinger.

“Falsity is what the United States has in its hands, false evidence,” Zorin said, claiming the US was fabricating a military threat which could have “catastrophic consequences for the whole world.”

President Kennedy speaks to the nation about the Cuban Missile Crisis, October 22, 1962.

Zorin had not been told that the Kremlin knew the US had photographs of the missiles.

Then the American UN Ambassador, Adlai Stevenson, responded as President Kennedy and the rest of the world watched on television.

Stevenson at the UN.

“I want to say to you, Mr. Zorin, that I don't have your talent for obfuscation, for distortion, for confusing language, and for doubletalk.

“You said we didn't have the evidence to prove that your government had installed long-range missiles in Cuba.

“Well, we do have the evidence and it's clear and incontrovertible.

UN Secretary General U Thant, an interpreter, and Soviet Ambassador Zorin, October 24, 1962.

“Do you deny that the USSR has placed and is placing medium and intermediate range missiles and sites in Cuba?

“Yes, or no?

“Don't wait for the translation: yes, or no?”

"I am prepared to wait for an answer until Hell freezes over, if that is your decision.

“I am also prepared to present the evidence in this room."

Missile photos are displayed at the Security Council meeting.

As laughter filled the chamber, Stevenson was handed a coded message from President Kennedy.

The message said, "Stick him."

Stevenson turned to his aides in the back of the chamber, who then unveiled poster-sized photographs of the Soviet missiles.

New York Journal-American newspaper.

The whole world now knew the Soviets had lied.

"Terrific," Kennedy told his aides.

Adlai Stevenson was the Democratic nominee for president in 1952 and 1956, losing to Dwight Eisenhower on both ocassions.

"I didn't know that Adlai had it in him."

The Cuban Missile Crisis will end in five more days.

******************************

I’ll see you tomorrow.

— Brenda

Banner image: Press surrounds President Kennedy as he signs an order imposing a quarantine around Cuba, October 23, 1962.

1. The dialogue has been edited for brevity.