The Joke That Could've Started World War III

image via OregonLive

It was October 1984, and President Ronald Reagan was preparing his weekly address to the nation on National Radio. Needing to test the microphone beforehand, they asked the President to speak. Always the joker, Reagan quipped:

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

Everyone in the room had a good chuckle at the joke, and moved on with the address. Across the ocean however, the Soviets were reacting very differently.

image via gocipz

The Soviets were world renown for their ability to take a joke.

Despite the joke happening during a microphone test, the recording eventually worked its way to the Soviet Union two days later. The much less amused Soviet leaders put their forces on high alert, and ordered a northern Pacific fleet to take military action against the US.

Fortunately, the baffled Soviet fleet questioned the order and never moved, and thirty minutes later Soviet forces stood down. This ended what could've possibly been the dumbest start to a war ever.

image via libcom

And this was after a war had been fought over a soccer game a mere ten years earlier.

Near misses like this were fairly common in the early 1980s. In late 1983, Soviets nearly launched a nuclear strike when they mistook a NATO exercise as an actual nuclear attack. A mere month before that, a computer glitch put World War III literally one almost-button-press away from happening.

image via Wikipedia

"Shit."

So why couldn't the Soviets take a joke? As it turns out that the Soviet response of ordering the attack was allegedly a "joke" in response to Reagan's quip. Either that, or a Soviet operator was just really drunk. US intelligence isn't exactly sure; but holy shit, it's amazing the world survived the 1980s!

Reagan, who was in the middle of an election cycle, saw his poll numbers slide temporarily. Turns out the American people wanted someone in this Cold War climate acting less stand-up comedian and more presidential in his actions and words. After all, as president, it's incredibly important to not be careless with what you say.

image via WashingtonPost

Yup.

Fortunately, Reagan recovered quickly from the gaffe and went on to dominate the 1984 election. The United States then dealt with four more years of Reagan speeches and jokes.

image via USA Today

"Mr. Gorbachev, fuck you. JK! lulz."