Forty-seven years ago today, on April 7, 1978 (March 1, 1978 in the lunar calendar), the United States decided to postpone the manufacture of neutron bombs. On April 7, 1978, President Carter said that he had "decided to postpone" the production of the controversial neutron bomb, but he said that this decision would be cancelled if the Soviet Union failed to fulfill its promise of restrictions in future weapons development. Carter said he had ordered continued production of artillery and short-range missiles capable of using neutron warheads. Neutron bombs can emit deadly radiation. But it will only produce fairly small explosion damage. Officials pointed out that this decision was made based on the failure of European allies to express their support for the development of neutron bombs.