Russia's ICBM Test: A Turning Point in the Cold War

On 26 August 1957, Soviet Russia told the world that it had successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to any part of the world. Four days before this announcement, Russia had tested a missile. This announcement increased America's concern and the missile race between the two countries took a new turn. The world had not yet fully recovered from the devastation of World War II. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was growing rapidly. Both countries were developing nuclear weapons as well as long-range missiles that could strike thousands of kilometers away. In the last days of World War II, Nazi Germany developed V-1 and V-2 rockets. These were used to attack Britain. After the war ended, both the United States and the Soviet Union took advantage of Germany's technology and scientists to create a long-range ballistic missile that could fly long distances.