UPI report from Chicago (1983: Doomsday)

The following is the last known copy of a United Press International teletype release, dated 9:01 p.m. Eastern time, September 25, 1983 (the day now known as Doomsday).

It was received in the newsroom of the Manchester Union Leader in the city of Manchester, in what was then known as the state of New Hampshire (and now is known as part of the Republic of Vermont).

UPI FLASH'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*

901 PM CHICAGO (UPI) - IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON, D.C., ALONG WITH NEW YORK AND SEVERAL OTHER AMERICAN CITIES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY NUCLEAR MISSILES LAUNCHED BY THE SOVIET UNION.

CHICAGO REMAINS THE LARGEST KNOWN CITY TO STILL SURVIVE. HOWEVER MAYOR WASHINGTON HAS ORDERED THE EVACUATION OF THE CHICAGO AREA BELIEVING THAT SOME SORT OF IMPACT IS IMMINENT.

THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION OF ANY TYPE OF SOVIET THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES; THE ATTACKS CAME AS A COMPLETE SURPRISE.

THE FIRST INDICATION OF AN ATTACK BY THE USSR CAME FROM NETWORK TELEVISION, AS BROADCASTS WERE INTERRUPTED BY FRIGHTENED ANCHORS ANNOUNCING THAT MISSILES WERE HEADED FOR WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK. PICTURES THEN WENT TO BLACK OR FADED AWAY AND THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM ACTIVATED.

PRESIDENT REAGAN WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN EVACUATED FROM THE WHITE HOUSE BEFORE THE EVENT NO WORD ON VP BUSH'S WHEREABOUTS. MORE--

No other releases came from UPI nor the Associated Press. It is believed that Chicago was destroyed around 9:05 pm Eastern time (8:05 local).