Bobby made scrambled eggs yesterday (see photo to the right), when he felt better…
We got the following letter from the VicMUN 2026 Secretary General today. Katie is on the “Cuban Missile Crisis” committee…
Dear Mr. Randall and GP Vanier Delegates,
Thank you for registering for VicMUN 2026! Below is a list of the committee and position assignments from GP Vanier who have registered in the 3rd and final round. Registration does not technically close until midnight, so I will send a follow up email tomorrow if any additional delegates happen to register.
SOCHUM:
- Zoey: China
United Nations Human Rights Council:
- Ruby: China
Cuban Missile Crisis
- Domanic
- Katie
Crisis delegates will be emailed with their position by our crisis team soon. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Brent Williams, VicMUN 2026 Secretary General
University of Victoria Model United Nations Club
My wife had never heard of the Cuban Missile Crisis and bought the movie “13 Days” on Amazon Prime to learn about it…
We studied the Cuban Missile Crisis in high school. My memory told me that we would have been “toast” except for the actions of a submarine leader, and I was right…
🚫💥 The Soviet Submarine Officer Who Prevented Nuclear War
During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, a Soviet submarine (B‑59) was being harassed by U.S. Navy ships that were dropping practice depth charges. The crew believed war might have already started.
Onboard was a nuclear‑armed torpedo — and the captain wanted to fire it.
🔑 The man who stopped it: Vasili Arkhipov
Launch authorization required all three senior officers to agree. Two said yes.
Arkhipov said no.
His refusal prevented the launch of a nuclear torpedo and almost certainly stopped the crisis from escalating into full nuclear war.
Historians often describe him as “the man who saved the world.”
🧭 What was happening on the sub?
- The B‑59 was overheating and unable to communicate with Moscow.
- The crew believed they might already be at war.
- Captain Valentin Savitsky ordered the nuclear torpedo prepared.
- Arkhipov, the flotilla commander and second‑in‑command on the sub, refused to give consent.
- Without unanimous agreement, the launch could not proceed.
His calm judgment under extreme pressure prevented a nuclear exchange.