How close has our world come to a nuclear holocaust?

by WilliamPoole

With stories about how close the US and USSR came to launching ICBMs due to incorrect intelligence and warning system data, I wonder how close we have come to a MAD scenario.

I'm not just looking for cold war answers, though I'm sure the bulk will be, but anytime any country legitimately had their thumb on "the button."

*I know it's not a button.

stillyoinkgasp

Extremely. Tensions were high during the Cuban missile crisis, in the 60's NORAD computers stated with nearly 100% accuracy a nuclear attack was imminent, etc.

The fact we weren't all annihilated is actually pretty astounding considering the stubbornness and stupidity the average person possesses.