1938day.year
Orson Welles broadcasts a radio adaptation of H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds, causing a massive panic in some of the audience in the United States.
In 1938, Orson Welles's radio adaptation of H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds aired, causing nationwide panic among some listeners.
On the evening of October 30, 1938, the Mercury Theatre on the Air broadcast a dramatized version of H. G. Wells's invasion novel live on CBS radio.
Using realistic news bulletins and urgent commentary, Orson Welles convinced many listeners they were hearing real reports of a Martian attack.
Panic ensued in parts of the United States, with some residents fleeing homes or calling police in terror.
The incident underscored the power of mass media and fueled debates over broadcast regulations.
It remains a landmark example of media influence and audience psychology in the 20th century.
1938
Orson Welles
The War of the Worlds