September 26th, 2011 at 5:33PM
The man who saved the world: Stanislav Petrov was manning surveillance equipment for the Soviet Air Defense Forces when he noticed something strange on the screen.  Soon after, warning signals started flashing with the report of an incoming nuclear missile from the USA. Seeing only one missile, he figured it was a mistake.  He figured Americans wouldn’t send only one missile if they wanted a nuclear war. Soon thereafter, many more started appearing on the screen.  Nevertheless he trusted his instincts, and rather than contact his superiors he waited to see what would happen.  He waited past the perceived time on impact.  There was no damage - the warnings were due to a system malfunction. Had Petrov not defied protocol and contacted his superiors, a real nuke may very well have been fired in response - igniting a nuclear war between the USA and Soviet Union. September 26, 1983 - 28 years ago today.

The man who saved the world:

Stanislav Petrov was manning surveillance equipment for the Soviet Air Defense Forces when he noticed something strange on the screen.  Soon after, warning signals started flashing with the report of an incoming nuclear missile from the USA.

Seeing only one missile, he figured it was a mistake.  He figured Americans wouldn’t send only one missile if they wanted a nuclear war.

Soon thereafter, many more started appearing on the screen. 

Nevertheless he trusted his instincts, and rather than contact his superiors he waited to see what would happen.  He waited past the perceived time on impact.  There was no damage - the warnings were due to a system malfunction.

Had Petrov not defied protocol and contacted his superiors, a real nuke may very well have been fired in response - igniting a nuclear war between the USA and Soviet Union.

September 26, 1983 - 28 years ago today.

  1. necktiesandplushrumps reblogged this from kripke-is-my-king
  2. zybthranger reblogged this from wilwheaton
  3. unsocializedperson reblogged this from picturesofwar
  4. thisismystoryandiaintaloneinthat reblogged this from wilwheaton
  5. mildhorror reblogged this from citylightscomebackinjune
  6. citylightscomebackinjune reblogged this from chrisolorobin
  7. chrisolorobin reblogged this from picturesofwar
  8. type-write-her reblogged this from mydailytumbles
  9. mydailytumbles reblogged this from peacewithans and added:
    Stanislav Petrov? Simon Petrikov? Think about it, both of them stopped a nuclear war (in one universe at least) Maybe...
  10. pragmatic-dude reblogged this from 1n-famous
  11. sixstarlifestyle reblogged this from 1n-famous
  12. lightsabersforall reblogged this from 1n-famous
  13. funsizeddominicana reblogged this from simplerminds
  14. regularguy reblogged this from 1n-famous
  15. lee-kenaynis reblogged this from sinfulxhope and added:
    “That’s no moon….”
  16. animenerd991 reblogged this from animefan4eternity23
  17. simplerminds reblogged this from 1n-famous
  18. bhel-elrys reblogged this from riokuku
  19. animefan4eternity23 reblogged this from riokuku
  20. tashmonstar reblogged this from rtjgsketch
  21. rtjgsketch reblogged this from riokuku
  22. riokuku reblogged this from happy-amateur
  23. happy-amateur reblogged this from xice-wolf
  24. xice-wolf reblogged this from sinfulxhope
  25. copca reblogged this from 1n-famous
  26. sinfulxhope reblogged this from 1n-famous and added:
    I could just Imagine him drinking coffee and saying to himself “This doesn’t look right”
29,680 notes #Stanislav Petrov#cold war#nuclear war#history#ussr
Short URL for this post: http://tmblr.co/Z3j85x9zlceV