#14: The “Martian Invasion” San Diego Broadcast (1949)
A San Diego radio station tried to recreate the magic of Orson Welles’ broadcast in 1949, and one more time, it backfired badly. The station aired its own local adaptation, claiming that alien ships were hovering over nearby California naval bases. With the military presence so central to San Diego life, the report resonated more than expected. The broadcast triggered widespread panic among civilians and even caused lockdowns on actual military bases in the area.
