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1973 UFO Wave

October 1973 saw one of the largest UFO waves in American history. Reports flooded in from across the country - the Pascagoula abduction, Ohio helicopter incident, multiple police sightings, and hundreds of other encounters. Even Governor Jimmy Carter had reported a sighting years earlier.

1973
United States
5000+ witnesses

One of America’s most intense UFO waves.

The Wave

October 1973:

  • Nationwide reports
  • Hundreds of sightings
  • Multiple states
  • Various object types
  • Media frenzy

Pascagoula

October 11:

  • Charles Hickson
  • Calvin Parker
  • Shipyard encounter
  • Abduction claimed
  • National news

Army Helicopter

October 18:

  • Captain Coyne incident
  • Near collision
  • Helicopter lifted
  • Mansfield, Ohio
  • Classic case

The Police Reports

Law enforcement sightings:

  • Multiple states
  • Officers on duty
  • Radio documented
  • Credible witnesses
  • Unexplained

The Governors

High-profile witnesses:

  • Jimmy Carter (1969 sighting)
  • John Gilligan (Ohio)
  • Multiple officials
  • Public statements
  • Increased attention

The Coverage

Media response:

  • Network news
  • Major newspapers
  • Magazine features
  • Public debate
  • Scientific interest

The Legacy

What it caused:

  • Renewed research
  • Public awareness
  • Government attention
  • Changed discourse
  • Still studied

Sources

  • [1973 UFO Wave - Various UFO Research Sources]