Today in 1970, France conducted “Licorne,” its fourth H-bomb test—and 36th test overall—at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific. Six hours after the 914-kt explosion, Defense Minister Michel Debré swam in the lagoon as a publicity stunt to show it was not dangerously radioactive.

Today in 1970, France conducted “Licorne,” its fourth H-bomb test—and 36th test overall—at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific. Six hours after the 914-kt explosion, Defense Minister Michel Debré swam in the lagoon as a publicity stunt to show it was not dangerously radioactive. pic.twitter.com/hr4nNSYAuk

— Stephen Schwartz (@AtomicAnalyst) July 3, 2023