Sci-Fi Trivia 'Q' - How did Orson Welles put "the fear of God" into the USA, in his 1930's radio show?

Question

It was later known as the night that panicked America - Why?

Answer 1

The invasion was real to the listeners of the radio....Makes you wonder about the future....

Answer 2

War of the Worlds radio play went to air, it was done like it was actually a real life event happening as people were listening.

Answer 3

He didn't panic or put the fear of god into America. The broadcast area was primarily in the New York/Jersey area.

Answer 4

He broadcasted the radio only play "The War of the Worlds".  It was so convincing that people actually thought that America was invaded by aliens.

The police got so many calls that they listened to part of the broadcast and then went to the radio station and had them publicly announce that it was only a radio show/program.

Have a lovely rest of the evening.

Answer 5

He presented "War of the Worlds" as a breaking news event. A lot of people bought it even though it was well advertised ahead of time.

Answer 6

People turning on the radio show after the beginning did not realise that it was a play. They heard the "news" reports and thought Earth really was being invaded by spaceships from Mars.

Answer 7

people thought it was really happening (alien invasion) and not just a radio show.

Answer 8

Technically, he put the 'fear of aliens' into the US. They already had the fear of god.