A technician, using a candle to check for air leaks, sets fire to electrical insulation at the Brownís Ferry reactor in Decatur, Alabama; cables controlling safety equipment burn out, and the cooling water falls to dangerous levels before a makeshift system is devised.

South Africa announces that it has completed a pilot project designed to create uranium hexaflouride, the necessary element in gaseous uranium enrichment. 

Brazil signs an agreement with West Germany to obtain significant nuclear technology. The United States objects, but can only persuade West Germany to impose safeguards.

Pakistan begins buying components for its domestic uranium enrichment program. 

A.Q. Khan mysteriously disappears from the Netherlands with blueprints for uranium centrifuges and contact information for nearly 100 companies that supply nuclear components and materials.