On This Day 1986: The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

The worst nuclear disaster in history took place during what should have been a routine safety check at Chernobyl nuclear plant. Negligence resulted in a chain reaction of explosions that melted the fourth nuclear reactor. The aftermath sent a devastating cloud of radioactive contaminants being sent into the atmosphere, but Moscow was not initially forthcoming about what had happened. This was President Reagan's response to reporters' initial questions. .