Atomic bombs: The fear has been hovering over us since the Russians developed their own weapons of mass destruction after World War II. Unilateral atmospheric tests were conducted until 1958 when Great Britain, Russia, and the U.S. agreed on a moratorium. In 1961, President Kennedy tried to extend the treaty, but negotiations faltered and testing resumed.

Prior to 1958, tests were conducted at Bikini Atoll, now a part of the Marshall Islands, but in 1962 they were moved to Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, 1340 miles south of Hawaii. According to the American Legion Magazine and a Na...