According
to this site, the National EAS test is occurring on the anniversary
of the (almost) accidental nuclear war with the Soviet Union in 1971.
The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will occur a week from tomorrow at 2:00PM EST, on the same date that - in 1979 - a
computer error at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) indicated Soviet missiles inbound on the U.S., leading to the panicked
launching of the National Airborne Emergency Command Post ("Nightwatch") and preparations for a retaliatory strike.
It also posts the FCC's handbook for the EAS test.
edit on 2-11-2011 by AtticusRye because: (no reason given)