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? 

Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history

For more historical analysis of current events, sign up for the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter, featuring Time Machine, a weekly article that dives into an historical event inspired by each episode of Now & Then: cafe.com/brief

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.

Check out other CAFE podcasts: 

Stay Tuned with Preet: apple.co/2BxXfiO

Up Against The Mob: apple.co/3x4sgYj

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices