Recently declassified information from the US government reveals that a four-megaton nuclear bomb, over 250 times more powerful than the bombs that fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, almost exploded over the United States of America on January 23, 1961.1
No, it wasn’t attached to a Russian missile launched from neighboring Cuba. It wasn’t a foiled terrorist plot. The unlikely culprit was a US plane airborne near Goldsboro, North Carolina.
How did such a horrendous mishap almost occur? A B-52 bomber was flying a routine mission when it went into an uncontrolled spin. As the plane disintegrated, two Mark 39 hydrogen bombs were released. One fell to the ground unarmed but the second bomb began to arm itself for detonation. All that prevented a massive nuclear explosion with an unimaginable loss of life was one low-voltage safety switch.
The residents of Goldsboro, North Carolina continued their Monday as usual, totally oblivious to the fact that they were only one safety switch away from total annihilation.
I wonder how many times our lives have been spared by the mercy of God. The Scriptures speak of angels holding back the winds of strife (Rev. 7:1). Jesus prophesied of a time when hearts would fail for fear (Luke 21:26). The invitation of Jesus is so relevant and precious to each one of us living on this fragile planet: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
1 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/20/usaf-atomic-bomb-north-carolina-1961