1945 – 1949: UFO | Entity Sightings by Date

1945 – 1949: UFO | Entity Sightings by Date

The period between 1945 and 1949 is recognized as the foundational era of the modern UFO phenomenon, transitioning from wartime anomalies to a global cultural obsession and formal military study. Following the “foo fighters” of World War II, this era saw the birth of the term “flying saucer” and the establishment of the first official U.S. government investigations into what was then considered a potential national security threat. 

1945: UFO | Entity Sightings by Date

1946: UFO | Entity Sightings by Date

1947: UFO | Entity Sightings by Date

1948: UFO | Entity Sightings by Date

1949: UFO | Entity Sightings by Date

Official U.S. Government Investigations

Project Sign (1947–1949): The first official Air Force study, which initially considered “interplanetary” origins before being replaced.

Project Grudge (1949): Succeeded Project Sign with a focus on debunking sightings to alleviate public anxiety and “war hysteria”.

AARO Historical Review: A recent 2024 report found no evidence that these early cases represented extraterrestrial technology, instead attributing them to misidentifications of secret programs or natural phenomena.