Australia signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 27 February 1970

In July 1968 the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was opened for signature. This landmark international treaty aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technologies and to promote peaceful cooperation in the use of nuclear energy. In all, 191 countries joined the treaty, including the five nuclear-weapons nations (United States of America, Russia, United Kingdom, France and China).