It was fifty years ago today- August 24, 1968- France becomes the 5th nation  to successfully explode a hydrogen bomb. The other nations – United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom and China. The test went by the name Operation Canopus- took place in French Polynesia-at 8:30 am after heavy rains had caused six postponements.

As of now only six countries have conducted thermonuclear test weapons- the sixth country being  India.  Pakistan, Israel and North Korea now have nuclear weapons.