The History of UFOs

UFOs in Ancient Artwork

UFOs have been seen all over the world for decades, perhaps even centuries. Some trace sightings of unidentified objects in the sky as far back as the 1400s, as depicted in illustrious artwork of the time. In an era before science-fiction, artists depicted their surroundings and what they saw as accurately as they could. With regards to these depictions, researchers simply point to the possibility of apophenia (seeing patterns in unrelated data) or the notion that science-fiction is perhaps more science fact than some want to believe.

The Beginning of the Modern Era

The modern era of UFO sightings began in 1947. One of the most notable incidents occurred on July 2nd, 1947, when a strange craft crashed on a remote ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. It is believed that heavy rain and lightning struck the craft, which caused it to malfunction and crash. Witnesses and 2nd-hand accounts say the craft was of extraterrestrial origin. Within days, it was publicly announced through the press that the United States Army had recovered the craft, and the world was taken by storm.  This incident is known as the Roswell UFO Crash and is why July 2nd is recognized annually as World UFO Day.
Roswell Daily Record July 8th, 1947 Newspaper

Unidentified Flying Objects Officially Get A Name

Edward J. Ruppelt

The term UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) was coined by the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book in 1953. Initially, the phrase was 'UFOB', but it was later shortened by Edward J. Ruppelt to 'UFO.' He was the director of Project Grudge, which became Project Blue Book in 1952. Ruppelt wrote several books on the subject of UFOs. He was respected by several iconic figures in Ufology, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, who said, "I found him to be honest and seriously puzzled about the whole phenomenon." Once the term was picked up by the media and spread all over the world, it became more than just an acronym; it became a cultural identifier of extraterrestrial visitors.

UFOs in the Modern Era

UFOs have been sighted and are still seen by many all over the world. Some of the most notable are The McMinnville UFO Sighting, the Betty and Barney Hill Incident, the Travis Walton Incident, the Rendlesham Forest incident, and Phoenix Light Incident. Several incidents, perhaps most controversial, are told by those who say they've been taken by a UFO. It has been said that UFOs are piloted by beings from other planets.

UFOs Are Now UAP

The notion of Unidentified Flying Objects gained much more serious attention when Navy pilots and personnel began reporting and filming strange phenomena in the sky. Government agencies began releasing and authenticating videos filmed by government officials showing strange objects in the sky. Among the most notable are the Tic Tac Incident, the Chilean Navy UFO, the Gimbal UFO, the Pyramid-Shaped UFO. Some call them UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects); the United States government now prefers UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena.)

Official UFO Video Releases

Are UFOs Reality or Hoax?

Undoubtedly throughout history, some UFO sightings have been hoaxed or exaggerated. Regardless of this notion, it is unrelenting to believe that every observer has deliberately lied or distorted the facts of reality. Beyond speculation, it is safe to say that unidentified objects in the sky have been sighted and described by many who have no reason to lie.


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