The Day the Earth Caught Fire story
The Earth off is knocked its normal axis of rotation after the Soviet Union and the United States accidentally detonate simultaneous nuclear bomb tests.
10 total · 4 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| nuclear proliferation | major | Nuclear bomb testing had the unintended consequence of the Earth being knocked off its normal axis of rotation. In addition, there was a protest movement advocating the abolition of nuclear weapons. |
| planet being flung out of its orbit | major | Not only was the Earth knocked off its normal axis of rotation, but it later became apparent that it was spiraling into the sun. |
| planet being knocked off its axis by nuclear blast | major | Nuclear tests resulted in the Earth being knocked off its normal axis of rotation. |
| romantic love | major | Peter Stenning and Jeannie Craig. |
| alcohol abuse | minor | Peter Stenning was known for having a drinking problem. |
| divorce | minor | Peter Stenning lost custody of his young son in a messy divorce. |
| escape from reality | minor | People tried to go as normal on with their lives even though the climate around them had suddenly altered dramatically. Young people threw a wild street party after it was announced that the Earth was spiraling into the sun. |
| father and son | minor | Peter Stenning met his young son at the local amusement park once a week. |
| mass hysteria | minor | People were shown panicking in the streets after news that the Earth was spiraling into the sun spread around the world. |
| the religious end of the world | minor | A pastor was running around urging everyone to repent before the end came. |