50 Years Ago This Week

President Kennedy addresses the Nation on 22 October 1962, informing the country of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In an unprecedented display of hemispheric solidarity, the Organization of American States (OAS) approves the U.S. quarantine of Cuba that was announced by Kennedy the night before.
On 24 October, the Blockade goes into effect at 10am EDT.

I can only guess at the mood of the country when President Kennedy signed off from the nationwide broadcast that night.