The U.S. and Soviet representatives sign the "Memorandum of Understanding" Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Regarding the Establishment of a Direct Communications Link." between Moscow and Washington. Commonly called, "The Hotline".
Its primary purpose is to facilitate immediate communication during crises and prevent misunderstandings that could lead to accidental nuclear conflict, the possibility of which became apparent during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Initially, it used secure teletype equipment. Satellite lines were added in 1971, and facsimile machines in 1986. Since 2008, it has been a secure computer link using email. Contrary to popular belief, the hotline was never a telephone line, and no red phones were used. The hotline has been used during various crises and the system is tested daily to ensure it is functional. More
Jim Kuhn, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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