A still from the original military nuclear test film

At Yucca Flat, Nevada, in 1953 the U.S military and local civilians were invited to watch an atomic blast. It was thought that by observing the explosion the civilians’ fears of radioactive fallout would be eased.

Unlike many other military films documenting atomic blasts this particular film includes audio of the countdown, the delayed explosion, and the reaction of people on the ground. The declassified film can be viewed at the National Archives.

This is the second in my series featuring archival audio of events and interviews – the subjects have been chosen for their heightened relevance in today’s political and social climate.