Digital Display of JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis

AT&T, collaborating with the National Archives, its John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the Foundation for the National Archives, and the Kennedy Library Foundation, has created an app and website of the new exhibit, “To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” bringing it to online audiences around the world.

The app for iPad is available for free download in the App Store. At www.JFKCMC.org, Android, smartphone, other tablet and laptop users can also experience the exhibit.

“To the Brink” is a new exhibit at the National Archives that looks back at the Cuban Missile Crisis from the 50-year mark.

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The exhibit shows President Kennedy and his advisers in the throes of deliberation during 13 agonizing days in October 1962, as the United States and the then-Soviet Union stood on the brink of nuclear war.

The peaceful resolution of the crisis, resulting in the removal of Soviet nuclear missiles from Cuba, is considered to be one of Kennedy’s greatest achievements.

As lead sponsor of “To the Brink,” AT&T worked with the National Archives, its Kennedy Library, and their foundations to create the free app.  AT&T worked with Seattle-based Treemo Labs to build the app.

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“AT&T is proud to bring virtual access to this remarkable exhibit assembled by the National Archives and its John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum,” said Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president.

“Through the power of innovative technologies and networks, many more Americans will be able to experience an exhibit — including the actual recordings of President Kennedy and his advisors — that brings to life one of the most important moments in American history.”

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“To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis” is currently showing at the National Archives’ Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery in Washington, DC.  Early next year, the exhibit will travel to the Kennedy Library in Boston.

Exhibit Curator Stacey Bredhoff of the Kennedy Library authored an accompanying exhibition catalog, also titled To the Brink, published by the Foundation for the National Archives.

As lead sponsor of the exhibit, AT&T donated $500,000 to support “To the Brink,” in addition to the creation of the app.

Photo courtesy: Foundation for the National Archives