On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles radio adaptation of H.G. Wells The War of the Worlds was broadcast across the United States. The realistic depiction of an alien invasion led to widespread panic, with listeners believing that a real extraterrestrial attack was occurring. Though Welles and his team intended the broadcast to be a Halloween stunt, it caused chaos in several cities, with people fleeing their homes and authorities scrambling to respond. The panic was mostly fueled by listeners tuning in late, missing the opening disclaimer. The event is now regarded as an infamous example of mass hysteria.