Kenneth Arnold reports nine objects near Mount Rainier
June 24, 1947 · Near Mount Rainier, Washington · Sighting · Primary document linked
A private pilot flying in southern Washington reported a chain of nine bright, fast-moving objects passing the mountain. Press coverage of his account popularized the terms 'flying saucer' and 'flying disc' and is widely treated as the start of the modern UFO era.
Why it matters (5/5)
Origin of the term 'flying saucer' and the usual starting point of the modern UFO era.
Caveats
Speed, size and shape are Arnold's own estimates from a single eyewitness account; no physical evidence exists.
Sources
- Kenneth Arnold's report to the U.S. Army Air Forces, July 1947 (transcription) (Kenneth Arnold), primary
- Project Blue Book: The Kenneth Arnold UFO Sighting, Mt. Rainier, Washington, June 24, 1947 (U.S. Air Force (Project Blue Book file)), primary
- Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting (Wikipedia), context