The Roswell Incident

In July 1947, something crashed on a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. The military’s initial press release announced recovery of a “flying disc” before quickly changing to a weather balloon. The incident became the most famous UFO case in history.

The Discovery

Early July 1947:

• Mac Brazel found debris
• On Foster Ranch
• Unusual material
• Reported to authorities
• Military notified

The Press Release

July 8, 1947:

• RAAF announced
• “Flying disc” recovered
• Headlines worldwide
• Then retracted
• Changed to balloon

The Debris

Witnesses described:

• Metal that wouldn’t bend
• Memory metal
• Strange symbols
• Lightweight but strong
• Not conventional

The Bodies

Later witnesses claimed:

• Alien bodies recovered
• Small humanoids
• Large heads
• Big eyes
• Transported elsewhere

Major Jesse Marcel

Intelligence officer:

• Handled debris
• Later spoke out
• Maintained it wasn’t balloon
• Unusual material
• Credible witness

The Cover Story

Official explanation:

• Weather balloon
• Project Mogul (later)
• Classified at time
• Convenient explanation
• Many doubt

Project Mogul

1990s revelation:

• Spy balloon program
• High altitude
• Acoustic detection
• Explained debris?
• Still debated

Witness Testimony

Over years:

• Many came forward
• Described events
• Bodies mentioned
• Cover-up alleged
• Consistent elements

GAO Investigation

1990s:

• General Accounting Office
• Looked into case
• Records missing
• Destroyed or lost
• Suspicious

Cultural Impact

Roswell became:

• Synonym for UFO
• Cultural phenomenon
• Tourism industry
• Global recognition
• Iconic case

Significance

The most famous and controversial UFO case in history, shaping the entire field of ufology.

Legacy

Whether balloon or spacecraft, Roswell changed how the world views UFOs and government secrecy. The truth remains debated seven decades later.