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Nuclear energy generation began in earnest in the early 20th century, with significant milestones including the first commercial nuclear power plant in the 1950s. Despite serving as a significant energy source, the nuclear industry has been plagued by safety concerns, particularly three catastrophic accidents:
Three Mile Island (1979): A partial meltdown resulted from operator errors and coolant loss, leading to a minor release of radioactive gases.
Chernobyl (1986): A combination of reactor design flaws and inadequate safety measures led to a catastrophic explosion and a complete meltdown, releasing extensive radioactive contamination.