• Source:JND

10 Most Famous UFO Sightings: World UFO Day 2025 is a day to celebrate and explore the universe's mysteries. Every year on July 2nd, people from all over the world come themselves to express their fascination with UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Numerous occasions are reported in history when people claimed of witnessed enigmatic objects in the sky, flying saucers, or strange lights over the years. A few of these sightings have gained international fame because they are so bizarre and inexplicable.

From military pilots to school students, many have reported seeing UFOs land on Earth in history. Some consider these occurrences to be evidence of extraterrestrial life, while others speculate that they could be the result of natural occurrences or covert technology. These tales nevertheless continue to spark curiosity and provoke discussion.

Although these incidents took place in various nations and at various points in time, they all made people wonder if we are truly alone in the universe. Let's examine the most remarkable UFO encounters ever documented on World UFO Day. There may still be the truth. In this article, we’ll look at 10 of the most famous and mysterious UFO sightings and landings in the history of the world.

1. The Roswell Incident (1947), USA

10 most famous UFO sightings in history (3)

10 most famous UFO sightings in history (Image: Canva)

The Roswell Incident is one of the most talked-about UFO incidents worldwide. A mysterious object crashed on a ranch close to Roswell, New Mexico, in July 1947. The U.S. military initially described it as a "flying disc," but they subsequently changed their claim and referred to it as a weather balloon. Many people thought that the government was hiding an alien spacecraft because of this abrupt change. People still travel to Roswell in search of answers even after several decades have passed.

2. Washington, D.C. UFO Incident, USA (1952)

In July 1952, several unknown flying objects were spotted over the Capitol Building and the White House in Washington, D.C. Pilots confirmed seeing bright lights in the sky, while air traffic controllers saw odd blips on their radar. Several days passed during the sightings, and major newspapers even carried the stories. When the UFOs were intercepted by fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force, they swiftly disappeared. Even now, this incident cannot be explained.

3. The Rendlesham Forest Incident (1980), UK

Often referred to as "Britain's Roswell," this incident took place in Suffolk, England, in December 1980. Strange lights in the forest were reported by U.S. Air Force personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge and RAF Bentwaters. Some even reported touching a metallic triangular object bearing odd symbols. According to reports, radiation was discovered at the landing site, and the lights came back on the following night. There has never been a satisfactory explanation.

 

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4. Hudson Valley UFO Wave (1980s), USA

10 most famous UFO sightings in history (2)

10 most famous UFO sightings in history (Image: Canva)

Between 1982 and 1986, in the Hudson Valley of New York, thousands of people claimed to have seen big, silent, V-shaped lights in the sky. Families, police officers, and pilots frequently witnessed these UFOs hovering slowly over residences and highways. They were perceived as alien ships by some, and as secret military craft by others. One of the biggest mass UFO sightings in American history, the mystery is still unsolved.

5. Belgian UFO Wave (1989–1990), Belgium

Belgium experienced a wave of UFO sightings between 1989 and 1990, primarily of large, triangular craft with lights underneath. Even the Belgian Air Force used F-16 jets to pursue the UFOs after more than 13,000 people reported seeing them. Unknown flying objects were tracked by the radar, but pilots were unable to capture them. This was one of the most credible UFO sightings in Europe because the Belgian government took the sightings seriously.

6. The Shag Harbour Incident (1967), Canada

In October 1967, locals in Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia, saw a glowing object crash into the ocean. Authorities believed it was a plane crash and launched a search operation, but no wreckage was ever found. The Canadian government recorded the event as a “UFO crash in the ocean.” Many still believe that something not from this world sank beneath the waters of Shag Harbour.

7. The Westall UFO Incident (1966), Australia

In April 1966, more than 200 teachers and students at Melbourne's Westall High School claimed to have seen a flying saucer land in a nearby field. After remaining for a few minutes, the craft rose and quickly took off. Authorities allegedly told some students to keep quiet. The mystery surrounding this uncommon daytime sighting was increased by the fact that no formal report was ever made public.

8. The Phoenix Lights (1997), USA

10 most famous UFO sightings in history (1)

10 most famous UFO sightings in history (Image: Canva)

Thousands of people in Arizona witnessed a massive V-shaped cluster of lights silently moving across the night sky in March 1997. As it passed overhead, witnesses described it as a big, solid craft that blocked stars. Many disagreed with the U.S. military's later claim that the lights were flares from training exercises. One of the most observed and enigmatic UFO phenomena in history is the Phoenix Lights.

 

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9. The Tehran UFO Incident (1976), Iran

When a bright UFO was spotted close to Tehran in September 1976, Iranian fighter pilots were dispatched to intercept it. Their instruments and communication systems failed as they got closer, but they resumed normal operation as they retreated. The object reportedly emitted bright beams of light and made impossible movements. The event was also documented by U.S. intelligence, which gave this remarkable encounter more legitimacy.

10. Chicago O'Hare International Airport Incident (2006), USA

In November 2006, at Chicago's crowded O'Hare Airport, pilots and airline employees reported seeing a flying saucer hovering over one of the terminals. After hovering in the air for a few minutes, the metal object abruptly shot upward, piercing the clouds. Witnesses insist what they saw was real and unexplained, while the FAA denied it was a UFO, claiming it was weather-related.