WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22: CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS AT 50

Profile America — Monday, October 22nd.  One of the key events of the long-running Cold War started 50 years ago today — the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Ships and aircraft of the Soviet Union had brought nuclear-armed missiles into Cuba, only 90 miles from the U.S.  On this date in 1962, President John F. Kennedy made a national television address, demanding the removal of Soviet missiles, launch equipment and bombers from Cuba.  He also imposed a naval quarantine to prevent further weapons from reaching Cuba.  Six days later, the Soviets announced they would remove the weapons in question.  At the time, the U.S. had 2.8 million men and women on active duty.  Now, our armed forces total half that number.  You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 517
               Historical Statistics of the United States:  Colonial Times to 1970, p. 1141
               Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 509

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau