What was the closest point in history we came to total extinction of the human race - or at least a catastrophic loss of life?

by mapet318
Searocksandtrees

hi! if you don't get an answer here, do try x-posting to /r/AskAnthropology: this topic is right up their street

TrustMeIAMAProfessor

I'd venture a guess you'd have a tough time pressing a historian to try and find an example featuring a tighter squeeze than the Cuban Missile Crisis. My vote would therefore be October 1962.