On the night of January 23rd, 1961, a lucky turn of events prevented the greatest nuclear disaster the United States would have known. Thousands of people would have died instantly, with millions more at the mercy of nuclear fallout. This lucky save is now known as the Goldsboro Incident.
The Goldsboro incident wasn’t the only nuclear mishap that happened in the 1950s and 1960s, but it is definitely the one that could have had the most severe outcome. On that fateful night in January, a B-52 Stratofortress bomber patrolling the skies over the Atlantic Ocean developed a fuel leak. The pilots were advised to seer their craft and make an emergency landing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base near Goldsboro, North Carolina. While approaching the airfield, the pilots lost control over the plane, and to save their own lives - had to bail out. Only five of the crew members managed to parachute safely out. Three pilots were killed in the crash.
The official announcement of the US airforce claimed there was no danger of radiation in the area as the nuclear core of the weapons was intact. However, a former military analyst claimed to have seen highly classified documents that clarified how close the situation was to becoming complete chaos. According to said document, the bomb had accidentally armed itself while falling, and only one out of its seven arming switches was in the “off” position preventing detonation! This information was confirmed in 2013 by author Eric Schlosser. While researching his book Command and Control, Schlosser unearthed a declassified document written by the supervisor of the nuclear weapons safety department at Sandia National Laboratories Parker F Jones. “One simple, dynamo-technology, low voltage switch stood between the United States and a major catastrophe,” Jones wrote. The second weapon, which crashed without the parachute, broke up into several pieces, one of which was never found. The lost piece contained a significant amount of high-enriched uranium.
Had this one little switch not stayed on lock, the entire state of North Caroline might not have existed today. The fallen thermonuclear devices were 250 times more powerful than Little Boy, the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima during WWII. If detonated, it would have produced a fireball 2 km in diameter and inflicted third-degree burns on anyone standing as far as 19 km away.
Some people disagree with this version of the incident, claiming the actual possibility of detonation was next to none. In their book Broken Arrow: The Declassified History of U.S. authors, Michael H. Maggelet and James C. Oskins point out that that the arm-ready switch was in the safe position, and the high-voltage battery was not activated, no electrical power could reach any components necessary to fire the weapon and produce a nuclear explosion.
Whatever the case may be, we should all be eternally grateful for the multiple safety systems that prevented the explosion, and most of all - to plain old luck.
QUIZ: Which Founding Father Were You in a Past Life?
Do you think you were the great George Washington, the confident Thomas Jefferson, or perhaps someone else? Take this personality quiz and find out!
QUIZ: How Much Do You Know About the US Constitution?
Think you're a true patriot of the USA? If so, then you're bound to know everything possible about the US constitution, right? It's time to find out...
Panama Canal: Engineering Miracle with a Shocking History
You may not know it but the Panama Canal is one of the 20th century's greatest achievements. When you read its incredible history you will understand why.
How Did We Invent the Dollar? Learn Its Meandering History
In this video, we will learn a short history of the U.S. Dollar.
The Great Lakes Claimed Many Ships - Here Are 7 Of Them
The Great Lakes used to be America's busiest highways. Unfortunately, it wasn't always smooth sailing. Here are the stories of 7 shipwrecks haunting the lakes.
Do You Know the Original Names of These US Cities?
What was the original name of New York City? or Seattle? See if you recognize these old historic monikers for 10 iconic US cities.
Then & Now Photos Show How the World Has Changed
Here are some of the best pictures contributed by their users. Which impressed you most?
These Rare Photos Tell the Story of the Great Depression
A photographic summary depiction of The Great Depression.
22 Words Uttered By Writers In Their Final Moments
The world's most famous writers had a way with words right up until the point of their deaths, as these 22 images are about to show you.
10 Questions You Always Wanted the Answer To
Let's dive into ten questions you've always wanted to ask and uncover the intriguing science behind everyday phenomena.
The USA 110 Years Ago... What Was It LIKE?
We take so much for granted in the modern world. Read through these astonishing facts and realize just how different life was in the US back in 1910.
Wow! I Had No Idea That Whales Could Show Gratitude!
One whale was so grateful for the man who saved his life, he showed his appreciation - by dancing!
8 Little-Known Wars Rarely Found in History Books
Today, let’s talk about some of the weirdest and little-known wars from history.
10 Underrated Movies That Should be Seen by More People
Imploring all cinema buffs to check out these criminally underrated movies!
Why You Might Want to Consider Switching to a Futon Bed
In this article, we will learn what a real futon bed is and if it is better for spine health than a western bed.
Life in Japan is so Interesting! Want to Know About It?
Japan has a number of cultural differences. Here are 15 intriguing facts about this countries.
History Lesson: How Japan Met Europe for the First Time
This video delves into the fascinating story of how the Portuguese and Japanese of the 16th century met, two distinct worlds, exploring the initial contact.
Have You Ever Seen Ducks With Jobs? You're About To!
Watch the day-to-day life of these incredible ducks, who just so happen to spend their lives on a wine farm...
Beware of Ordering These (Potentially) Fake Foods
There are certain items on a restaurant's menu that should be considered with caution, and this is because they tend to be faked. Learn more here.
11 Relatively Unknown Peculiar Jobs That No Longer Exist
Here is a collection of lesser-known jobs that are now obsolete. Some of them may sound unusual or even funny; even though they are real.
Can You Guess the English Word With Over 600 Meanings?
The English language has been around for so many centuries, it has gathered quite an elusive and industrious history, as seen in these facts
Hilarious: When Words Sound Alike But Mean Different...
Homophones are words that sound exactly the same, but aren't spelled the same and mean something different. Here are 20 that are the wordiest of words.
How to Detect a Liar, Explained by a Former FBI agent
Former FBI agent explains about deception detection methods, and debunks common myths.
Your Mind Does Play Tricks On You, Say Neuroscientists
There are many sensory tricks that your mind plays on you. Find out about the different phenomena that neuroscientists have discovered over the decades.
These Bizarre Weapons Were Invented During World War II
The Second World War saw the use of many jaw-dropping weapons. Many others, however, were considered flops.
We Bet You Never Knew the Origins of These Common Idioms!
We bet you use the following 8 common idioms all the time, but have you ever stopped to take the time to think about where they came from?
Excited About 2023? Well, You Should Be!
2022 is over and the New Year is finally here. There are plenty of things to look forward to in 2023!
The Eerie, Spiritual, and Sometimes Fun History of Masks
Let’s get to know some of the most famous masks in history and the civilizations that created them.
11 New English Words That Are Actually USEFUL To Know
The majority of new English words are very short-lived, but these were added to various dictionaries and seem to be quite useful to know
WOW! These Men Must Have Nerves of Steel!
Vince Reffet and Noah Bahnson are thrill-seekers who love jumping off mountains. In this breathtaking video, they fly through the Alps.
10 Emmy-Winning Netflix Shows You Don't Wanna Miss...
if you're in need of a binge-worthy series and haven't explored these recommendations yet, prepare to be captivated.
From Food to Science - The WORST Misnomers You’ll Find!
Whoever named these objects must have seriously run out of imagination!
Cities of Yesteryear: See the 1890s Come Alive!
It's incredible to have this look into yesteryear, and this compilation have some truly terrific sights to show you!
Her Mom With Alzheimer's Didn't Recognize Her, Until...
A loving daughter experiences a moment she thought she'd never have again.
Looking at a 100 Years of High School Fashions...
Here's what high schoolers wore each decade of the 20th century.
This Ancient Cabinet is FULL of Surprises...
One of the finest achievements of European furniture making!
16 Helpful Charts and Guides Worth Saving
We’ll never get enough of useful charts, maps, and guides like these!
Emperor Augustus: How Does History Judge Him?
When speaking of great Roman emperors, perhaps the first that comes to mind is Augustus, who reigned for 41 years and is thought of as the founder of the Roman principle.
These Tips Will Help You Start Reading Again
Reading skills not as strong as they were in the days of yore? Here are my tried-and-true tips to help you get back on the reading horse.
The Battle of Midway: Exploring a Decisive WWII Victory
In this clip from the history channel, we dive deep into the great naval fight - the Midway Battle.
A Look Back at How 15 Famous Inventions Started Out
Today, let’s look back at the fascinating vintage versions of modern tech that we still use.
Say Cheers & Raise Your Drinks to These 15 Terrific Toasts
I have been known to offer a few toasts myself when the occasion has grabbed me, but these are 15 of the very best toasts I have ever heard.
These Maps Are Guaranteed to Teach You About the USA
The USA becomes all the more fascinating when you collate a ton of different maps containing insightful demographic data. Take a look at this map compilation.
Watch This Card Magician Make Penn and Teller’s Jaws Drop
Everybody knows colored light can make things appear different, but can it actually permanently paint them? This magician believes it can.
I've Never Heard This Amazing Tale From the 2nd World War
This is going to be one of the most amazing stories you've ever heard. I guarantee it.
Mark Twain Really Had a Way With Words
These great quotes from Mark Twain are all-time classics, and worth remembering.
Each Of These 35 Places Represents a Worldly High or Low
When it comes to records, these countries and cities stand at the top (and bottom) of the tree.