From the beginning of the Atomic Era, U.S. presidents have played a unique role in nuclear issues. From conducting historical full-scale nuclear testing, to implementing today’s science-based stockpile stewardship program, to building international consensus on the safe and peaceful use of civil nuclear energy, to signing major arms control agreements with adversaries, to developing and reforming the architecture within the U.S. government to manage the nuclear security enterprise, U.S. presidents have shifted policies and approaches to meet the national and geopolitical moment. For nearly 80 years, the U.S. nuclear complex has received bipartisan support as the cornerstone of America's national defense and a source of assurance for our allies. Click through the cards below to see key moments in this fascinating timeline.
Learn more:
- J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project
- NNSA modern missions
- NNSA weapons modernization programs
- NNSA support of global nonproliferation and peaceful nuclear use
- NNSA naval nuclear propulsion mission
- How NNSA fits into the Department of Energy
- NNSA’s remarks on the 30th anniversary of Divider
- NNSA’s ongoing work with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty