October 11, 1939Albert Einstein writes his famous letter to Franklin Delano Roosevelt about the potential of the atomic bomb. Einstein, a long-time pacifist, is concerned that the Nazis will get the bomb first. In the letter, Einstein argues the scientific feasibility of atomic weapons, and urges the need for development of a US atomic program.

October 12, 1976Hua Guofeng becomes the leader of the Chinese Communist Party and President of