It was on this date in 1979 that the worst nuclear disaster in U.S. history occurred. Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania had been built in 1974. The disaster began at 4 A.M., and by 8 P.M. that day, it seemed like complete meltdown had been averted.
Unfortunately, two days later it was discovered that radiation had escaped into the air, and over 100,000 people fled to surrounding areas in fear and panic. Thankfully, the hydrogen gas bubble was not in danger of exploding. The plant was shut down and did not resume operation until 1985. Then it closed permanently in 1990. There has not been another power plant erected in this country since this disaster.
Thankfully, this disaster was not any worse. Hopefully there will never be another disaster, but I have to admit that I don't have a lot of hope.
For more information, please check out:
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/03/dayintech_0328
http://www.history.co.uk/this-day-in-history/March-28.html;jsessionid=DBFBC6B0EC253A8A2721A3F146376575
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nuclear-accident-at-three-mile-island
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