This is one proclamation that everyone should be glad wasn’t issued.

In 1956, during the peak of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, there was an unsigned and undated proclamation that was to be used by Gov. Arthur B. Langlie in case of a nuclear attack. Washington included several key potential targets for nuclear bombings – Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base (now Joint Base Lewis-McChord), the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, the nuclear submarine base at Bangor and Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane.

Gov. Langlie’s prepared proclamation of emergency (below), which includes calling up the Washington National Guard, is the third candidate for the April edition of Archives treasures. The first two contenders are the cross-sound bridge plans and the first territorial law.

Look for the online poll to soon appear, allowing you to vote on your favorite Archives treasure for this month.

(Courtesy of Washington State Archives)