Las Vegas Sun

December 4, 2008

Atomic Testing

The Priscilla nuclear bomb is detonated over Frenchman Flat on ...

Photo: Sun Archives

The Priscilla nuclear bomb is detonated over Frenchman Flat on June 24, 1957. The test was one of a series of controversial nuclear tests codenamed Operation Plumbbob. The 37 kiloton bomb was detonated at 700 feet above the valley floor via hot air balloon. Operation Plumbbob sought to take advantage of the nuclear tests with training exercises, war games and lectures for military personnel on how the atom bomb would change the way wars would be fought, culminating in the actual explosions every 5 days during the late spring and summer of 1957.

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Calendar

Grand opening of Frankie's Tiki Room

Grand opening of Frankie's Tiki Room

(12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Frankie's Tiki Room)