With the recent spate of UFO shootdowns by the U.S. Air Force, Heather and Joanne discuss America’s historical fascination with aerial mysteries, from John Winthrop and Increase Mather’s colonial reports of sightings, to the 1890s “Mystery Airship” craze, to the 1942 “Battle of Los Angeles, to the 1970s pop cultural UFO moment. 

What can UFOs tell us about American hopes and fears? 

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For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/what-ufos-say-about-us/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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