A few days after the Chernobyl explosion, around 1 million Ukrainians gather for a traditional rally that was supposed to be cancelled so as not to risk exposing the population to radiation, on the orders of the PCUS Central Committee. It is thought that the order was given to prevent people from panicking, despite an elevated radiation level within the city. At the time workers, students and school children were obliged to attend the rally. The text reads "Giving to the Motherland-the production plan will be achieved ahead of time!" (Photo by Igor Kostin/Sygma via Getty Images)
