I read this as a rumor, and I wondered if it’s possible to verify it. The story goes that JFK, on the eve of signing the order for an embargo of Cuba, called for one of his cabinet, or staff, and sent them on an errand. They bought up all of a certain Cuban cigar they could find, and when they returned with the supply, Kennedy signed the order for the embargo. Legend? Possibility?
I’ve heard this one from a number of sources, but I’ve never been able to verify it.
From what I understand, Kennedy ordered Salinger to buy 1000 (some sources say 1200) “Petit Upmann” Havana cigars as quickly as possible. Salinger managed the task overnight, and JFK signed the order in the morning.
You might find more information on this at Cigar Aficionado magazine–they did an excellent article on Kennedy a couple of years ago, and they have an online archive of past issues. Their forums can be helpful also.
A humidor was installed on Air Force One, of course, to provide havanas for the President. They kept it stocked well after the embargo began, without ever directly asking if ‘that’s okay’. The most JFK would say, as he was lighting one up, “Well, it will sure be a shame when these run out, I’ll miss them.” They never had the heart to tell him they were obtaining them against the embargo restrictions, since he was the President.