When a B-25 Bomber suffered catastrophic structural failure and came apart over the North Carolinian countryside, its two thermonuclear warheads plummeted to the earth. During the mid-air breakup, one of the bomb’s safety pins was pulled loose, initiating its detonation sequence. Munitions expert Jack Revelle recalled the moment they discovered how perilous the situation was: “Until my death I will never forget hearing my sergeant say, ‘Lieutenant, we found the arm/safe switch.’ And I said, ‘Great.’ He said, ‘Not great. It’s on arm.’” Nuking North Carolina tells the story of a near-apocalyptic accident on American soil that remained classified for over 50 years.