April 1897: McKinney Bayou Texarkana Area

On the afternoon of April 23, 1897, Judge Lawrence A. Byrne of Texarkana, Arkansas, embarked on what he envisioned as a routine survey of land along McKinney Bayou. His role as a judge and respected community member lent both credibility and influence to his reputation. Little did he know that his path would intersect with an extraordinary event—one that would mark a defining moment in the prehistory of modern UFO folklore in America. This episode, when recounted through Byrne's own measured voice and preserved in contemporary reports . . . [More]

April 1897: McKinney Bayou Texarkana Area

On the afternoon of April 23, 1897, Judge Lawrence A. Byrne of Texarkana, Arkansas, embarked on what he envisioned as a routine survey of land along McKinney Bayou. His role as a judge and respected community member lent both credibility and influence to his reputation. Little did he know that his path would intersect with an extraordinary event—one that would mark a defining moment in the prehistory of modern UFO folklore in America. This episode, when recounted through Byrne's own measured voice and preserved in contemporary reports . . . [More]

1897: UFO Sighting Over Prescott

In the late 19th century, the United States experienced a series of mysterious aerial sightings collectively known as the "Great Airship Wave" of 1896–1897. These reports, characterized by descriptions of cigar-shaped flying crafts with bright lights, were widespread across the country. Among the numerous accounts, a notable sighting occurred in Prescott, Arizona, where witnesses claimed to observe such a craft flying slowly and silently over the city at night. Contextualizing the Airship Wave The "Great Airship Wa . . . [More]

1897: UFO Sighting Over Prescott

In the late 19th century, the United States experienced a series of mysterious aerial sightings collectively known as the "Great Airship Wave" of 1896–1897. These reports, characterized by descriptions of cigar-shaped flying crafts with bright lights, were widespread across the country. Among the numerous accounts, a notable sighting occurred in Prescott, Arizona, where witnesses claimed to observe such a craft flying slowly and silently over the city at night. Contextualizing the Airship Wave The "Great Airship Wa . . . [More]

1948: The Chiles-Whitted UFO Encounter

On July 24, 1948, two experienced airline pilots flying over Montgomery, Alabama, witnessed something so startling and unexplainable that it not only shocked them but also changed the trajectory of how the United States government approached unidentified flying objects (UFOs). This event, known as the Chiles-Whitted Encounter, is one of the earliest and most influential UFO sightings in the post–World War II era. Unlike many obscure sightings relegated to hearsay or folklore, this encounter involved credible witnesses, official investi . . . [More]

1948: The Chiles-Whitted UFO Encounter

On July 24, 1948, two experienced airline pilots flying over Montgomery, Alabama, witnessed something so startling and unexplainable that it not only shocked them but also changed the trajectory of how the United States government approached unidentified flying objects (UFOs). This event, known as the Chiles-Whitted Encounter, is one of the earliest and most influential UFO sightings in the post–World War II era. Unlike many obscure sightings relegated to hearsay or folklore, this encounter involved credible witnesses, official investi . . . [More]

1800s: Mount Saint Elias UFOs

Mount Saint Elias, straddling the border between Alaska and the Yukon Territory, is the second-highest peak in both the United States and Canada, rising to 18,008 feet. Known for its dramatic elevation gain and remote location, the mountain has been a subject of fascination for explorers, scientists, and indigenous peoples alike. In the 19th century, multiple mountaineering and exploration parties reported witnessing unexplained aerial phenomena in the vicinity of Mount Saint Elias. These sightings, often described as "floating lanterns . . . [More]

1800s: Mount Saint Elias UFOs

Mount Saint Elias, straddling the border between Alaska and the Yukon Territory, is the second-highest peak in both the United States and Canada, rising to 18,008 feet. Known for its dramatic elevation gain and remote location, the mountain has been a subject of fascination for explorers, scientists, and indigenous peoples alike. In the 19th century, multiple mountaineering and exploration parties reported witnessing unexplained aerial phenomena in the vicinity of Mount Saint Elias. These sightings, often described as "floating lanterns . . . [More]

1897: Saint Catharines Ontario UFO Wave

The mystery airship phenomenon began in late 1896, with reports of unidentified flying objects over California. These sightings quickly spread eastward, encompassing the Midwest and eventually reaching the eastern United States by early 1897. Witnesses commonly described large, cigar-shaped craft equipped with bright lights, often moving slowly and silently at night. Some accounts even included interactions with humanoid occupants, adding to the intrigue. Grand Forks Herald The total number of reported sightings during this period was . . . [More]

1897: Saint Catharines Ontario UFO Wave

The mystery airship phenomenon began in late 1896, with reports of unidentified flying objects over California. These sightings quickly spread eastward, encompassing the Midwest and eventually reaching the eastern United States by early 1897. Witnesses commonly described large, cigar-shaped craft equipped with bright lights, often moving slowly and silently at night. Some accounts even included interactions with humanoid occupants, adding to the intrigue. Grand Forks Herald The total number of reported sightings during this period was . . . [More]

1974: Norway Deep-Water Vertical Ascent

In 1974, along the deep and ancient waters of Norway’s Hardangerfjord, a small group of fishermen reported witnessing an event that would quietly enter the long and often overlooked history of unidentified phenomena associated with water. Unlike dramatic encounters involving aircraft interceptions or radar screens filled with blips, this incident unfolded in near silence, observed by working men whose lives were shaped by routine, weather, and the unforgiving rhythms of the sea. According to their accounts, a vertical shaft of light emerg . . . [More]

1974: Norway Deep-Water Vertical Ascent

In 1974, along the deep and ancient waters of Norway’s Hardangerfjord, a small group of fishermen reported witnessing an event that would quietly enter the long and often overlooked history of unidentified phenomena associated with water. Unlike dramatic encounters involving aircraft interceptions or radar screens filled with blips, this incident unfolded in near silence, observed by working men whose lives were shaped by routine, weather, and the unforgiving rhythms of the sea. According to their accounts, a vertical shaft of light emerg . . . [More]

1973: Silent Tracks Beneath the Caribbean

In the early 1970s, at the height of the Cold War and amid a rapidly intensifying era of naval surveillance, the world’s oceans had become one of the most closely monitored environments on Earth. Submarines, sonar nets, and anti-submarine warfare exercises turned vast stretches of water into invisible battlegrounds of sound and signal. It was within this context, in 1973, that Captain Thomas Wilson of the United States Navy later claimed to have encountered something profoundly unsettling while operating in the Caribbean. Speaking decades . . . [More]

1973: Silent Tracks Beneath the Caribbean

In the early 1970s, at the height of the Cold War and amid a rapidly intensifying era of naval surveillance, the world’s oceans had become one of the most closely monitored environments on Earth. Submarines, sonar nets, and anti-submarine warfare exercises turned vast stretches of water into invisible battlegrounds of sound and signal. It was within this context, in 1973, that Captain Thomas Wilson of the United States Navy later claimed to have encountered something profoundly unsettling while operating in the Caribbean. Speaking decades . . . [More]

70 AD: Josephus Aerial Chariots Over Sea and Land

The year 70 AD stands as one of the most turbulent periods in ancient history, marked by the fall of Jerusalem, the collapse of political structures, and a shattering cultural transformation for the people of Judea. Amid this upheaval, one of antiquity’s most respected historians— Flavius Josephus—recorded a series of extraordinary aerial events that continue to intrigue modern researchers. His descriptions of “phantom armies,” “chariots of fire,” and luminous formations traversing the sky have becom . . . [More]

70 AD: Josephus Aerial Chariots Over Sea and Land

The year 70 AD stands as one of the most turbulent periods in ancient history, marked by the fall of Jerusalem, the collapse of political structures, and a shattering cultural transformation for the people of Judea. Amid this upheaval, one of antiquity’s most respected historians— Flavius Josephus—recorded a series of extraordinary aerial events that continue to intrigue modern researchers. His descriptions of “phantom armies,” “chariots of fire,” and luminous formations traversing the sky have becom . . . [More]

1933: Lombardy UFO Crash

Many researchers point to 1947 as the beginning of the Modern UFO Era, the moment when sightings, reports, and alleged encounters took on the form that continues to shape public understanding more than seventy five years later. However, the 1930s produced an earlier and often overlooked case in pre–Second World War Europe. According to multiple Italian ufologists, a craft of unknown origin reportedly crashed in northern Italy in 1933 and was retrieved under direct orders from Mussolini’s government. Existing documents attributed . . . [More]

1933: Lombardy UFO Crash

Many researchers point to 1947 as the beginning of the Modern UFO Era, the moment when sightings, reports, and alleged encounters took on the form that continues to shape public understanding more than seventy five years later. However, the 1930s produced an earlier and often overlooked case in pre–Second World War Europe. According to multiple Italian ufologists, a craft of unknown origin reportedly crashed in northern Italy in 1933 and was retrieved under direct orders from Mussolini’s government. Existing documents attributed . . . [More]

1990: Eglin Air Force Base Incident

In the spring of 1990, northwest Florida once again found itself at the center of one of the most intriguing UFO-related military encounters on record. Eglin Air Force Base, a sprawling installation known for weapons testing and advanced radar operations, became the site of an extraordinary radar and visual event that remains partially classified to this day. Occurring only three years after the initial Gulf Breeze photographs taken by Ed Walters and amid ongoing sightings across the Panhandle, the April 1990 Eglin incident reinforced suspicion . . . [More]

1990: Eglin Air Force Base Incident

In the spring of 1990, northwest Florida once again found itself at the center of one of the most intriguing UFO-related military encounters on record. Eglin Air Force Base, a sprawling installation known for weapons testing and advanced radar operations, became the site of an extraordinary radar and visual event that remains partially classified to this day. Occurring only three years after the initial Gulf Breeze photographs taken by Ed Walters and amid ongoing sightings across the Panhandle, the April 1990 Eglin incident reinforced suspicion . . . [More]