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October 30, 1938

Today In History

Orson Welles causes a nationwide panic with his radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds”

Orson Welles causes a nationwide panic with his broadcast of “War of the Worlds”—a realistic radio dramatization of a Martian invasion of Earth. He was only 23 years old when his Mercury Theater company decided to update H.G. Wells’ 19th-century science fiction novel War of the Worlds for national radio. Despite his age, Welles had been in radio for several years, most notably as the voice of “The Shadow” in the hit mystery program of the same name. “War of the Worlds” was not planned as a radio hoax, and Welles had little idea of the havoc it would cause. The show began on Sunday, October 30, at 8 p.m. A voice announced: “The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations present Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the air in ‘War of the Worlds’ by H.G. Wells.” Sunday evening in 1938 was prime-time in the golden age of radio, and millions of Americans had their radios turned on. But most of these Americans were listening to ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy “Charlie McCarthy” on NBC and only turned to CBS at 8:12 p.m. after the comedy sketch ended and a little-known singer went on. By then, the story of the Martian invasion was well underway. Perhaps as many as a million radio listeners believed that a real Martian invasion was underway. Panic broke out across the country. In New Jersey, terrified civilians jammed highways seeking to escape the alien marauders. People begged police for gas masks to save them from the toxic gas and asked electric companies to turn off the power so that the Martians wouldn’t see their lights. One woman ran into an Indianapolis church where evening services were being held and yelled, “New York has been destroyed! It’s the end of the world! Go home and prepare to die!” When news of the real-life panic leaked into the CBS studio, Welles went on the air as himself to remind listeners that it was just fiction.

Remember When

B 52s flying practice missions over Nebraska
A small clip of Reggie Jackson batting against Luis Tiant on Saturday, July 22, 1972
Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson from the Negro baseball League in 1937 - View an excerpt from the 1996 TV movie "Soul of the Game". the Legendary battle between aging pitching star Satchel Paige and slugger Josh Gibson
Josh Gibson is referred to as the "Black Babe Ruth". During his career, he was as much a force in the Negro Baseball League as the Bambino was in the major leagues. From the late 1930s thru the early 1940s Gibson's bat powered the Grays to nine consecutive Negro National League championships.
Song of the Day
Righteous Brothers | Unchained Melody
My Girl performed by The Temptations
Explore America
Oak Room at The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Very Funny Shows

Petticoat Junction

F-Troop

MASH

Mary Tyler More Show

The Three Stooges

Petticoat Junction

F-Troop

MASH

Mary Tyler More Show

The Three Stooges

TV Show of the Day
Sea Hunt TV Show - Season 2 Episode 29 - The Female
David Bowie sings 'Imagine' - a tribute to John Lennon
Bill Walton
Interview of the Day
Richard Burton: The Interviews | 1965 - 1983
Mulberry Street in New York City

CLASSIC AMERICAN IMAGES

Great College Athletes

Kenny Stabler - University of Alabama

Barry Sanders - Oklhaoma State

Herschel Walker - University of Georgia

Larry Bird - Indiana State

Michael Jordan - University of North Carolina

Kenny Stabler - University of Alabama

Barry Sanders - Oklhaoma State

Herschel Walker - University of Georgia

Larry Bird - Indiana State

Michael Jordan - University of North Carolina

Collectible Editions

You have a choice of three versions of our collectible edition to select from. 52-pages, 100-pages (special oversized edition) and our 104-page version (hard cover). Enjoy your stroll down memory lane!



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