💣 This Week In History - The Cuban Missile Crisis Begins

Welcome back History Nerds,

Happy 1 year anniversary to the LOL History Newsletter and everyone that have stuck with us from the start. We really appreciate each and every one of you that have supported us along the way. This week is no different, as we’ve got some of the craziest historic events from this week in history. So, as always, pour yourself up a big cup of coffee, and let’s get straight into it!

Did You Know? On April 4, 1933, the dirigible USS Akron, the world’s largest airship, crashed off the coast of New Jersey after flying into a thunderstorm. It was longer than two football fields and carried an onboard crew lounge, dining room, and even tiny fighter planes it could launch midair. The disaster ended the dream of flying battleships in the sky and reminded everyone that giant floating zeppelins and lightning don’t mix.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• Black Monday: The Day the Market Fell Apart

• The World Holds Its Breath During the Cuban Missile Crisis

• The Treaty of 1818: Drawing the Line at the 49th Parallel

• The Concorde Takes Its Final Flight Into History

Wall Street in Freefall: How Black Monday Changed Investing

On October 19, 1987, the world watched in disbelief as the stock market suffered its worst single-day collapse in history. Dubbed “Black Monday,” the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 22.6%, erasing billions of dollars in value within hours. Investors panicked, phones rang endlessly, and computer-driven trading systems accelerated the dramatic sell-off. Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange described scenes of near hysteria as prices dropped faster than they could react, with many fearing the financial system itself was on the brink of collapse.

The shock rippled far beyond Wall Street, sending tremors through global markets from London to Tokyo. Governments and financial institutions scrambled to restore confidence, fearing another Great Depression. Yet, despite the chaos, the market slowly stabilized in the following months, prompting new regulations and safeguards to prevent such a sudden collapse from happening again. Central banks coordinated interventions, injecting liquidity into struggling markets, while economists studied the role of computerized trading and investor psychology. The event became a lasting lesson in financial vulnerability and the power of panic in a digital age.

The World Holds Its Breath During the Cuban Missile Crisis

On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed the American people on live television and dropped a bombshell of his own. U.S. spy planes had discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles off the Florida coast. In a calm but serious tone, Kennedy announced a naval blockade, demanding that the Soviet Union remove the missiles or face consequences. For thirteen tense days, the world stood on the edge of nuclear war, as the two global superpowers stared each other down in the most dangerous game of chicken in history.

Behind the scenes, every decision mattered. American forces were put on DEFCON 2, the highest state of military readiness short of war, while Soviet ships carrying more missiles steamed toward Cuba. Diplomats scrambled, generals braced for battle, and everyday citizens wondered if this was the beginning of the end. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev engaged in a high-stakes negotiation that could have determined humanity’s fate with the push of a single button.

Finally, a deal was struck. The Soviets agreed to remove their missiles from Cuba in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade the island and a quiet promise to remove American missiles from Turkey. The crisis ended without a single shot fired, but it left the world shaken. The Cuban Missile Crisis remains a chilling reminder of how close we came to nuclear catastrophe and how a few calm heads prevented the Cold War from turning red hot. continents would redefine what it meant to discover, explore, and conquer.

How the U.S. and Britain Shaped North America

On October 20, 1818, the Treaty of 1818 was signed between the United States and Great Britain, marking a pivotal moment in North American diplomacy. The agreement established the 49th parallel as the official boundary between U.S. and British territories west of the Great Lakes, bringing long-sought clarity to contested lands. It also allowed for joint occupation of the Oregon Territory, reflecting both nations’ desire to avoid renewed conflict after the War of 1812.

The treaty symbolized a new era of cooperation and compromise between two former enemies. It helped stabilize relations, encouraged westward expansion, and laid the groundwork for the eventual formation of the modern U.S.-Canada border. Though disputes would later arise over the Oregon boundary, the Treaty of 1818 set a lasting precedent for peaceful negotiation and diplomatic resolution between neighboring powers.

The Concorde Takes Its Final Flight Into History

On October 24, 2003, British Airways’ Concorde made its final supersonic flight, officially ending an era when flying faster than the speed of sound was not just possible, but glamorous. The Concorde, capable of cruising at Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound), could whisk passengers from New York to London in just over three hours. It was a technological marvel and a symbol of luxury, often carrying celebrities, diplomats, and the ultra-wealthy who could afford its sky-high ticket prices.

The Concorde’s story began with promise and pride. Developed jointly by Britain and France, it first entered service in 1976 with British Airways and Air France. But while it captured imaginations, it never became practical. High operating costs, limited seating, and a tragic crash in 2000 darkened its legacy. When Air France retired its Concorde fleet in May 2003, the writing was on the wall. By the end of the year, the jet that once outran the sun had reached its final destination.

Today, the Concorde remains one of aviation’s greatest achievements, a sleek white arrow that reminded the world how far technology could go when ambition and engineering collided. Even decades later, no commercial plane has matched its speed. The dream of supersonic travel didn’t die with the Concorde, it just took a long layover, waiting for the next generation to catch up.

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See You Next Time!

We hope that you enjoyed this edition of the LOL History newsletter! See you next week!

— Evan & Derek - LOL History Co-Founders