Timeline (1984: We Begin Bombing)

This is the official timeline for the alternate history 1984: We Begin Bombing

Point of Divergence
While running for re-election, President Ronald Reagan was preparing to make his weekly Satuday address on NPR (National Public Radio). As a sound check, he said a statement (intended as a joke) to the radio technicians:

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."

In fact, it was a parody of line of that day's speech:

"My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you that today I signed legislation that will allow student religious groups to begin enjoying a right they've too long been denied — the freedom to meet in public high schools during nonschool hours, just as other student groups are allowed to do."

Point of Divergence: President Reagan refuses to make a sound check, and instead backs up his joke, bombing Soviet targets within 5 minutes of his statement