Step 14 of 14 · Tuesday 20 November 1962

The quarantine ends

After the Soviet Union agrees to take its Il-28 bombers out of Cuba as well, Kennedy lifts the quarantine. Strategic Air Command steps down from DEFCON 2.

• The missiles were shipped out in early November; US planes counted them on deck.
• The Jupiter missiles left Turkey by April 1963.

On the map

Ship positions are approximate and show the situation of the day, not exact tracks.

All days

1. 16 OctKennedy sees the U-2 photos
2. 17 OctLonger-range sites found
3. 18 OctGromyko meets Kennedy
4. 19 OctThe Joint Chiefs push for an air strike
5. 20 OctKennedy picks the blockade
6. 21 OctThe quarantine force sails
7. 22 OctKennedy tells the world
8. 23 OctThe quarantine is signed
9. 24 OctEyeball to eyeball
10. 25 OctThe first ship is let through
11. 26 OctThe Marucla is boarded
12. 27 OctBlack Saturday
13. 28 OctKhrushchev backs down
14. 20 NovThe quarantine ends