Arizona's Admission as the 48th U.S. State
1912 · Phoenix, United States
Arizona was admitted as the 48th U.S. state.
The Phoenix Lights: March 13, 1997
On the evening of March 13, 1997, a series of unidentified flying objects were observed over the skies of Arizona, an event that has since been referred to as “The Phoenix Lights.” This phenomenon sparked widespread speculation and debate, becoming one of the most famous UFO sightings in history.
The Events of March 13, 1997
The sightings occurred between 7:30 PM and 10:30 PM MST, with reports coming from thousands of people across a 300-mile stretch from the Nevada line, through Phoenix, and into the edge of Tucson. The event consisted of two distinct occurrences:
The V-shaped Formation: The first event was a triangular formation of lights that passed over the state. Witnesses described seeing a massive, V-shaped object with five spherical lights or possibly light-emitting engines. This formation moved silently across the sky, and some observers claimed it blocked out the stars as it passed overhead.
The Stationary Lights: Later in the evening, a series of stationary lights appeared over the Phoenix area. These lights were visible for several hours and were captured on video by numerous residents. The lights appeared to hover in a line or arc and eventually disappeared one by one.
Public Reaction and Speculation
The Phoenix Lights quickly became a topic of intense public interest and media coverage. The sheer number of witnesses, including police officers, pilots, and military personnel, lent credibility to the reports. The event sparked numerous theories, ranging from extraterrestrial visitation to secret military exercises.
Official Explanations
The U.S. Air Force eventually explained the stationary lights as flares dropped by A-10 Warthog aircraft during a training exercise at the Barry Goldwater Range. However, this explanation did not account for the V-shaped formation seen earlier in the evening, which remains unexplained.
Impact and Legacy
The Phoenix Lights have had a lasting impact on UFO culture and have been the subject of documentaries, books, and continued public interest. The event is often cited in discussions about government transparency and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
Broader Historical Significance
The Phoenix Lights incident is significant not only for its scale and the number of witnesses but also for its role in shaping public discourse on UFOs. It highlighted the tension between official explanations and public skepticism, contributing to ongoing debates about the existence of extraterrestrial life and the need for government transparency regarding unidentified aerial phenomena.
In summary, the Phoenix Lights remain one of the most compelling and widely discussed UFO sightings in history, continuing to intrigue both skeptics and believers alike.