The significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis in Cold War history lies in its representation of the intense nuclear tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Occurring in October 1962, the crisis arose when the U.S. discovered Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba, just 90 miles from its shores. This discovery led to a 13-day standoff, as the U.S. imposed a naval quarantine to prevent further shipments. The resolution of the crisis came with a secret agreement in which the U.S. pledged not to invade Cuba and agreed to remove its missiles from Turkey. The event underscored the risks of nuclear escalation and prompted both superpowers to seek improved communication, leading to the establishment of a direct hotline between Washington and Moscow.