During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, President John F. Kennedy served as the leader of the United States. He played a pivotal role in navigating this intense standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which arose after the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba. Kennedy's decisions, including implementing a naval blockade and engaging in negotiations, were crucial in ultimately defusing the crisis and averting a potential nuclear conflict. His administration's careful handling of the situation is often studied as a key moment in Cold War history.