Weekly Recess

The Forgotten Story of Semipalatinsk and the Soviet Nuclear Experiments

Posted on October 7, 2025 (September 25, 2025) by weeklyrecess_admin

Between 1949 and 1989, the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan became the primary location for Soviet nuclear weapons tests, exposing millions of unsuspecting villagers to radioactive fallout. Known as the “Polygon of Suffering,” this remote desert witnessed 456 nuclear detonations that caused widespread health crises, birth defects, and generational genetic damage. This article narrates the chilling legacy of Semipalatinsk, unveiling the human cost of Cold War arms development and the ongoing struggle for healing and recognition in Kazakhstan. […]

3 men lived on top of a billboard in tents for almost 9 months

Posted on April 1, 2024 (May 17, 2024) by weeklyrecess_admin

From 1982-1983, three men in Allentown PA competed in a radio contest in which they lived on top of a billboard in tents. Whoever stayed up longest would win a house. Due to economic pressure from the recession, none of the contestants wanted to give up, so the contest lasted almost 9 months. […]

Scientists separated triplets at birth for a controversial experiment and had no idea what they were doing

Posted on July 12, 2023 (May 15, 2024) by weeklyrecess_admin

As part of an experiment, a set of triplets was intentionally separated at birth and given to three sets of parents from different socioeconomic backgrounds. It was discovered in 1980, when two of the triplets attended the same college. […]