1983 - a perilous year in the Cold War. Sept 1, 30 years ago the Soviet Union shocked the world, shooting down KAL 007

(CNN) -- The idea that Soviet fighter jets would shoot down a Boeing 747 airliner seems shockingly unbelievable. Two-hundred sixty-nine innocent people died in a largely forgotten Cold War attack that took place exactly 30 years ago this weekend.

30 years ago this weekend, the Soviet Union shocked the world by shooting down a 747 airliner

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