On August 24th of 1968, France tested the “Canopus” 2.6MT Thermonuclear Bomb on the island of Fangataufa in French Polynesia.

12 comments

1. Such a crime

2. Being born on an Pacific island chain in the 1950s/1960s was some shit luck

   “Sorry Polynesian dude but we need to literally nuke your home to show off our dicks”

3. This just before the Detante period of the Cold War.

4. Pretty shitty thing to poison parts of Algeria and Polynesia. Could have tested it under the Massif Central.

5. So this is why a giant lizard attacked NY.

6. Many won’t agree with this, but French leaders had a foresight and ensured security of their country.

   There is something to be said for joint European nuclear deterrent program as an insurance against growing US isolationism (to which they have full right).

7. Dont forget all the french nuclear tests prior in algeria.

8. In terms of meaning: Canopus is the second-brightest star in the night sky.

   I like to think that -being close to [Canopy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canopy_(biology))- it is also meant as a giant umbrella shielding the ground below. Which is exactly the French Nuclear Doctrine: the bomb is meant to sanctuarize the national territory and not for attacking purposes.

   Something to think about in light of the resurging topic of EU’s strategic autonomy.

9. Wonderful

10. Imagine you live your best simple island life just to see god growing a mushroom from Hell on your neighbours Island

11. [r/FrenchMilitary](https://www.reddit.com/r/FrenchMilitary/)

12. At least it was in their own Polynesia and not like, English Polynesia