Nuclear testing: Timeline

1945   Nuclear testing: The Trinity Test, the first test of an atomic bomb Nuclear weapon

A nuclear weapon derives its destructive force from nuclear reaction [i]s of fission [i] ... 

, using 6 kilograms of plutonium, succeeds in detonating, unleashing an explosion equivalent to that of 19 kilotons of TNT.

1946   Nuclear testing: In the first underwater test of the atomic bomb, the surplus USS ''Saratoga'' is sunk near Bikini Atoll Bikini Atoll

Bikini Atoll is an uninhabited 6.0-square-kilometer atoll [i] in one of the Micronesia [i]n Islands in t ... 

 in the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

 when the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 detonates the "Baker Day" devi

1946   Cold War Cold War

The Cold War was the protracted geopolitical [i], ideological [i], and economic [i] ... 

: India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

n Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru , also called Pandit Nehru, was one of the most important leaders of the ... 

 appeals to the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 and the Soviet Union Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

 to end nuclear testing and to start nuclear disarmament, stating that such an action would "save humanity from the ultimate disaster."

1952   Nuclear testing: Operation Ivy - The United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 successfully detonates the first hydrogen bomb, codenamed "Mike", at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands , is a Micronesian [i] ... 

 in the central Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

, with a yield of 10.4 megatons.

1953   Nuclear testing: At the Nevada Test Site Nevada Test Site

The Nevada Test Site is a United States Department of Energy [i] reservation located in Nye County [i], ... 

, the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 conducts its first and only nuclear artillery test.

1954   Nuclear testing: Officials announce that an American hydrogen bomb test had been conducted on Bikini Atoll Bikini Atoll

Bikini Atoll is an uninhabited 6.0-square-kilometer atoll [i] in one of the Micronesia [i]n Islands in t ... 

 in the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

.

1956   Nuclear testing: In the Pacific Ocean Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

, Bikini Atoll Bikini Atoll

Bikini Atoll is an uninhabited 6.0-square-kilometer atoll [i] in one of the Micronesia [i]n Islands in t ... 

 is nearly obliterated by the first airborne explosion of a hydrogen bomb.

1960   February 13 — Nuclear testing: France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 tests its first atomic bomb in the Sahara Sahara

The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert [i], and second largest desert [i] at over 9,000,000 km, a ... 

.

1961   Nuclear testing: The Soviet Union Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

 detonates a 58 megaton yield hydrogen bomb known as Tsar Bomba over Novaya Zemlya. It remains the largest ever (man-made) explosion.

1962   Nuclear testing: The "Small Boy" test shot Little Feller I becomes the last atmospheric test detonation at the Nevada Test Site Nevada Test Site

The Nevada Test Site is a United States Department of Energy [i] reservation located in Nye County [i], ... 

.

1996   President Jacques Chirac Jacques Chirac

Jacques Ren Chirac is a French [i] politician and the current President of the French Republic [i] ... 

 announces a "definitive end" to French nuclear testing.

1998   Nuclear testing: In response to a series of Indian India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

 nuclear tests, Pakistan Pakistan

[i] located in [[South Asia]... 

 explodes 5 nuclear devices of its own in the Chaghai hills of Baluchistan, prompting the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

, Japan Japan

is an island country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 and other nations to impose economic sanctions.

1998   Nuclear testing: Pakistan Pakistan

[i] located in [[South Asia]... 

 conducts 1 more nuclear explosion following its first test.