The 1962 U.S. stock-market decline often linked to the Cuban Missile Crisis was called the Kennedy Slide.
The Kennedy Slide occurred during the first half of 1962, when major U.S. share indexes dropped sharply after a strong period for the market. The decline reflected concerns about slowing economic growth, corporate earnings, and the sustainability of high valuations.
The name connects the episode with President John F. Kennedy, but the market decline began before the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. The crisis added geopolitical tension later that year, yet it was not the sole original cause of the sell-off.
The event is also known as the Flash Crash of 1962 in some historical accounts. It is distinct from the 1987 Black Monday crash and from later computer-driven flash crashes, despite the similar use of the word “flash.”