2019-08-29 Thu

The legacy of nuclear testing is nothing but destruction! Hence, to ensure there are no more Victims United Nations declared 29th August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests! This is nothing but an attempt to promote nuclear disarmament.

Since nuclear weapons testing began on 16 July 1945, nearly 2,000 have taken place. Many of them showed us the terrifying and tragic effects of nuclear weapons testing, especially when the controlled conditions become unmanageable. Hence, on 2 December 2009, the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

Today, on the occasion of the “International Day against Nuclear Tests”, we are introducing a lesser-known personality who stood up for the cause at a very young age. Samantha Smith – a ten-year-old American girl wrote a letter to the newly appointed CPSU General Secretary Yuri Andropov concerning the possible nuclear war between the two superpowers.

Her letter became famous in USSR. Samantha was invited to visit the nation. Hence, toured the Soviet Union in July of 1983, meeting Russian kids, and became an ambassador for peace and nuclear disarmament. She was commemorated on a 5 kopek stamp by the USSR in the year 1985. The stamp features a smiling portrait of Samantha along with her and country’s name.

The other stamp shown above is a 1964 issue of the USA. This 5 cents stamp was issued after the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The stamp shows a nuclear explosion with a box stating “Cessation of Nuclear Testing” with the logo of the UN. The stamp also shows “United Nations” written in five languages.

Image Courtesy: https://www.thestar.com and https://www.mysticstamp.com

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