We begin bombing in five minutes

On August 11, 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan was getting ready to make his weekly Saturday radio address on National Public Radio. He was running for re-election at the time. He was testing the microphone before he started to talk, then Reagan made this joke to the radio workers:
The joke was based on the start of that day's speech:
Many Americans and Soviets were scared about a nuclear attack. Reagan said it was a joke. Though this was not the first time Reagan had joked before giving a speech or address, the Soviets were offended. They started making fun of Reagan.