JULY 16 / TODAY-IN-HISTORY 6 cases on file · 1945–1966
This Day in Paranormal History

July 16th

6 documented paranormal events occurred on this day, spanning 1945 to 1966. Browse hauntings, UFO sightings, cryptid encounters, and unexplained phenomena recorded throughout history.

Featured cases

Source document: 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_9
UFO 1966

Cleburne, Texas UFO Sighting (July 16, 1966) — FBI Files

Cleburne, Texas

An FBI investigation into a 1966 report regarding a photograph of a small, silver-clad humanoid figure in Cleburne, Texas.

Source document: 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_8
UFO 1956

Van Nuys, California UFO Sighting (July 16, 1956) — FBI Files

Van Nuys, California

An FBI-documented 1956 incident in Van Nuys, California, details a spherical craft landing in a backyard and an encounter with extraterrestrial beings.

Artistic depiction of Salem Coast Guard Photograph — mothership flanked by smaller escort craft
UFO 1952

The Salem Coast Guard Photograph

Salem, Massachusetts, USA

Coast Guard photographer Shell R. Alpert captured four bright objects in V-formation through his window at the Coast Guard Air Station. The photograph was taken during the peak of the 1952 UFO wave and became one of the most widely published UFO images of the era.

Source document: 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_2
UFO 1947

Kenneth Arnold UFO Sighting, Boise, Idaho (July 16, 1947)

Boise, Idaho

FBI agents interviewed David N. Johnson, aviation editor of the Idaho Daily Statesman, regarding Kenneth Arnold's claim of seeing nine flying objects. Johnson stated he knew Arnold well and considered him credible. Johnson himself investigated the cl

Source document: 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_3
UFO 1947

Kenneth Arnold UFO Sighting, Boise, Idaho (July 16, 1947 (Doc 3/P135))

Boise, Idaho

A first saucer wave case from Boise, Idaho. Kenne nold was also among the first to report sightings of alleged flying discs.

Artistic depiction of Trinity Test UFO Sighting — classic chrome flying saucer
UFO 1945

Trinity Test UFO Sighting

Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA

The world's first nuclear detonation may have attracted observers. Some accounts suggest UFOs were seen monitoring the Trinity test that ushered in the atomic age.