Nuclear Summitry: Pershing II, SS-20, and the End of the Cold War
Presented Online
The elimination of the Pershing II and SS-20 IRBMs from the nuclear arsenals of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987 signaled a rapprochement between both countries that culminated in the end of the Cold War. It did not start out that way. When Ronald Reagan entered the White House in 1981, he ordered a military buildup—the largest in peacetime history—to force the Soviet Union to the bargaining table. In this week's Ask an Expert on Facebook Live, curator Tom Lassman will discuss the process of removing the Pershing II and SS-20 missiles from active service, which proceeded in fits and starts that posed strategic risks for the superpowers during a period of heightened international tensions.
Tune in on our Facebook page.
Attending in person? Meet in Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.
Every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. we will go live on the National Air and Space Museum Facebook page with an Ask an Expert talk. We’ll select a different aviation or space topic each week, and a Museum staff member will discuss the history, stories, or personalities related to a specific artifact or exhibition in the Museum. Tune in on Facebook Live each week to join the talk and ask our experts questions.
How to attend
We rely on the generous support of donors, sponsors, members, and other benefactors to share the history and impact of aviation and spaceflight, educate the public, and inspire future generations. With your help, we can continue to preserve and safeguard the world’s most comprehensive collection of artifacts representing the great achievements of flight and space exploration.