Limited Test Ban Treaty

The Limited Test Ban Treaty, signed in 1963, is an international agreement by several countries to prevent nuclear tests in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space. Its goal is to reduce the environmental damage and radioactive contamination caused by such tests, and to curb the arms race by limiting nuclear proliferation. Countries agreed to allow underground testing only, which is less harmful to the environment. The treaty was a significant step toward controlling nuclear weapons development and promoting global stability, though it does not prohibit all nuclear tests underground.