Jul 27 2009
World’s First Nuclear Power Generator - on this day in 1954
On this day in 1954, the world’s first nuclear power generator began production of electricity in the Soviet Union. It was 25 years later that that Soviet Union would experience the first and worst potential hazard of nuclear technology when the Chernobyl plant suffered a meltdown that contaminated thousands of miles surrounding the site on April 26, 1986.
56 individuals died from this disaster and an estimated 600,000 were affected by the nuclear fallout and radiation exposure. The surrounding towns and communities are mostly uninhabited today due to the continued unhealthy levels of radiation. There is a 19 mile perimeter around the plant that is closed off and is a restricted area.
