On This Day

US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion...

The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion of Nye County, Nevada, about 65 mi (105 km) northwest of the city of Las Vegas.

Formerly known as the Nevada Proving Grounds of the United States Army, the site was acquired in 1951 to be the testing venue for the American nuclear devices. The first atmospheric test was conducted at the site's Frenchman Flat area by the United States Atomic Energy Commission (USAEC) on January 27, 1951. About 928 nuclear tests were conducted here through 1992, when the United States stopped its underground nuclear testing.

The site consists of about 1,350 sq mi (3,500 km2) of desert and mountainous terrain.

Historical Significance

The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion of Nye County, Nevada, about 65 mi (105 km) northwest of the city of Las Vegas.

Events Before

  1. International Book Year begins

    International Book Year begins

  2. LA Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd straight win, the longest winning streak in major professional

    LA Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd straight win, the longest winning streak in major professional sports

  3. Bernice Gera wins an anti-discrimination case against the National Baseball Congress, filed on March 15, 1971, allowing

    Bernice Gera wins an anti-discrimination case against the National Baseball Congress, filed on March 15, 1971, allowing her to umpire

  4. Bloody Sunday: 27 unarmed civilians are shot (14 are killed) by the British Army during a civil rights march in Derry, N

    Bloody Sunday: 27 unarmed civilians are shot (14 are killed) by the British Army during a civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland; the highest death toll from a single shooting incident during 'The Troubles'

  5. Bob Douglas is the first African American elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame

    The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, honors players who have shown exceptional skill at basketball, all-time great coaches, referees, and other major…

Events After

  1. Ernie DiGregorio of Buffalo hands out 25 assists in the Braves' 120-119 win over Portland, establishing an NBA single-ga

    Ernie DiGregorio of Buffalo hands out 25 assists in the Braves' 120-119 win over Portland, establishing an NBA single-game record for assists by a rookie

  2. Lee MacPhail takes over as AL president, succeeding Joe Cronin

    Lee MacPhail takes over as AL president, succeeding Joe Cronin

  3. Science fiction TV series "The Six Million Dollar Man" premieres on ABC, starring Lee Majors

    The Six Million Dollar Man is an American science fiction and action television series, running from 1973 to 1978, about a former astronaut, USAF Colonel Steve Austin, portrayed by Lee Majors.

  4. Barbra Streisand's first #1 hit, "The Way We Were"

    The Way We Were is the fifteenth studio album recorded by American singer Barbra Streisand.

  5. Mel Brooks' western spoof film "Blazing Saddles," starring Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, premieres at the Pickwick Dri

    Mel Brooks' western spoof film "Blazing Saddles," starring Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, premieres at the Pickwick Drive-In in Burbank, California; patrons watch from horseback rather than cars

More from the 1970s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 25, 1973?
The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion of Nye County, Nevada, about 65 mi (105 km) northwest of the city of Las Vegas. Formerly known as the Nevada Proving Grounds of the United States Army, the site was acquired in 1951 to be the testing venue for the American nuclear devices. The first atmospheric test was conducted at the site's Frenchman Flat area by the United States Atomic Energy Commission (USAEC) on January 27, 1951.
Why is US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site significant?
The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion of Nye County, Nevada, about 65 mi (105 km) northwest of the city of Las Vegas.

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