The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation between the USA and the USSR, stemming from the USSR's decision to place nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles away from the US. Occurring in October 1962, during the Cold War, it was one of its most dangerous episodes, potentially escalating to nuclear warfare. Key events leading up to this crisis were the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, a CIA sponsored effort to overthrow Fidel Castro, and Castro's move towards alignment with the Soviet Union. This led Soviet Premier Khrushchev to place nuclear missiles in Cuba, considered a part of U.S. sphere of influence, to deter American harassment of Cuba and balance the power, as America had missile bases near USSR boundaries in Turkey. The crisis was resolved when the U.S. agreed not to invade Cuba and to remove its missiles in Turkey (this part remained secret) in exchange for the USSR withdrawing its missiles from Cuba. Repercussions included the establishment of a direct communication hotline between US and USSR, easing of Cold War tensions for some time, and start of détente. However, the crisis heavily impacted the global consciousness about the threat of nuclear warfare, making it a significant event in the pursuit of nuclear disarmament.