The early 1980s sees the start of the Euromissile crisis. The focus of this tense diplomatic battle is the installation by the United States of Pershing II cruise missiles and rockets in Europe as a counterbalance to the threat posed by the Soviet deployment of SS-20 nuclear missiles. The first US missiles are installed in Western Europe in November 1983. The photo, taken on 14 September 1985, shows activists occupying Florennes military base to protest at the installation of missiles.