The Cuban missile crisis evaporated when Russia agreed to dismantle its missile bases in Cuba and take the rockets back to Russia under UN supervision.
The dramatic move was announced by the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, in a message to US president John F. Kennedy, who welcomed the offer and called it an important contribution to peace.
Khrushchev said Kennedy's assurance not to invade Cuba - given in a rapid series of exchanges over 48 hours - had removed the motive that had prompted Russia to supply that type of aid to Cuba.
In response to the Khrushchev announcement, the Cuban strongman, Fidel Castro, named five conditions for settling the crisis, including the giving up by the United States of its naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
At the same time, he demanded that American planes should stop violating Cuban and Soviet airspace.
The world welcomed the Soviet decision on Cuba - with reservations.
