Sixty-eight years ago today, on December 19, 1957 (October 28, 1957), European countries agreed to deploy nuclear weapons in Europe. On December 19, 1957, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreed to the United States to deploy nuclear weapons in Europe, including intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The decision was taken at an extraordinary summit meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Council. The summit was held to bridge the widening rift between the United States and the Allies over issues such as the joint direction and policy towards the Soviet Union. The Europeans agreed to the American proposal to strengthen the alliance's military power by adding nuclear weapons. The United States agreed to take more flexible steps towards the Soviet Union on disarmament issues.