Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed

Representatives of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain sign a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which prohibited the testing of nuclear weapons in outer space, underwater, or in the atmosphere. The treaty was hailed as an important first step toward the control of nuclear weapons. Discussions between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning a ban on nuclear testing began in the mid-1950s. Officials from both nations came to believe that the nuclear arms race was reaching a dangerous level. Also, public protests against the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons was gaining strength. Talks between the two nations (Great Britain joined later) dragged on for years, usually collapsing when the issue of verification was raised. In 1960, the three sides seemed close to an agreement, but the downing of an American spy plane over the Soviet Union in May brought negotiations to an end. The Cuban Missile Crisis provided a major impetus for reinvigorating the talks in October 1962. The Soviets attempted to install nuclear-capable missiles in Cuba, bringing the Soviet Union and the United States to the brink of a nuclear war. In June 1963, the test ban negotiations resumed. On 5 August, British, American, and Russian representatives signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. France and China were asked to join the agreement but refused. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was a small but significant step toward the control of nuclear weapons.