What was the event that almost turned the Cold War into a hot war?

The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 was a critical event that nearly escalated the Cold War into a hot war. It arose when the United States discovered Soviet nuclear missiles stationed in Cuba, just 90 miles from its shores. The confrontation led to a tense 13-day standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, with both powers on high alert for potential nuclear conflict. Ultimately, a diplomatic resolution was reached, with the U.S. agreeing not to invade Cuba and the USSR agreeing to withdraw its missiles.