American President's Chilling Joke: 'We'll Attack Russia in 5 Minutes"

As Reagan sat down in front of the microphone, the technicians asked him to speak so they could set the recording levels. Rather than reading from his prepared speech, Reagan decided to joke:

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

The joke, meant for an audience of sound engineers, was never intended to be broadcast. However, the comment was leaked to the press shortly after, and the reaction was immediate. The Soviet Union, already wary of Reagan's hardline stance against communism, reportedly placed one of its military divisions on alert, reflecting the high stakes of the Cold War era.

The American public also took notice. Reagan's offhand remark knocked seven points off his lead over Democratic challenger Walter Mondale in the polls. Yet, despite the temporary dip in popularity, many Americans seemed unfazed by the tough rhetoric. In fact, three months later, Reagan won re-election in a landslide, even capturing the votes of one out of every four registered Democrats.

Reagan's "We begin bombing in five minutes" quip has since become a memorable moment in American political history, illustrating the precarious balance between humor and diplomacy during one of the tensest periods of the 20th century.