On this day, November 20, 1983, the groundbreaking made-for-TV film The Day After premiered on the ABC network. The film depicted the devastating aftermath of a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union, focusing on the lives of residents in Lawrence, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
With its stark and realistic portrayal of nuclear destruction, The Day After captured the attention of over 100 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched television events in history. The film sparked widespread public concern and debates about nuclear weapons, even influencing discussions among policymakers at the height of the Cold War.
Do you remember watching The Day After? How do you think it impacted public opinion about nuclear war?