Friday, October 30
History Event of the Day
On This Day
War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast
October 30, 1938
Orson Welles' realistic radio dramatization of a Martian invasion sparked widespread panic across America.
The full story
Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air performed a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' science fiction novel, presenting the story as a series of breaking news bulletins. The broadcast was so convincing that many listeners believed a genuine alien invasion was occurring, cementing its status as one of the most famous events in radio history.