Chernobyl

Twenty-six years ago today, a nuclear reactor exploded in the USSR, more specifically, in Ukraine.

I was at Hunter college at the time, and hung out with a group of Ukrainine students, and played cards between classes.

News of this event was scarce at first, as the USSR tried to suppress information.

The initial report was:

"An accident has occurred at Chernobyl nuclear power station. One of the atomic reactors has been damaged. Measures are being taken to eliminate the consequences of the accident. Aid is being given to the victims. A government commission has been set up."


Talk about understatement.

Eventually the whole world learned of a reactor that failed during a test, the explosion and fire that spewed radiation across Ukraine and neighboring countries, as well as spreading radioactive dust across Europe. The reactor design was inherently flawed...

My friends took part in protests at the USSR embassy in Manhattan. There was little more the exiled population could do to help their country.

Many gave their lives at Chernobyl, trying to stop the blaze. Many suffer from cancers today that have been linked to the accident.

Today, the USSR is a distant memory. And Ukraine is honoring the memory of all who have suffered from Chernobyl...