Arnold claimed he was flying his plane over Mount Rainier National Park in the summer of 1947 when he saw nine shiny, high-speed flying saucers zoom past him in tandem. His account garnered intense national interest and media coverage, and additional sightings (and UFO hysteria) picked up over the next couple weeks; more than 800 people claimed to spot strange spacecraft in the sky. 

Things got even crazier when the Roswell Army Air Field released a news brief stating that a “flying disc” and other debris had been recovered from a nearby ranch in Corona, New Mexico. Conspiracy theories of government coverups and alien test subjects seemed to be everywhere, and they still persist today. If anything, the scrutiny has only gotten more intense.

Flying saucers, mysterious lights in the sky, little green men, video footage of unidentified aircraft – the truth is out there somewhere, and the debate about life beyond our planet rages on. In the meantime, you can celebrate World UFO Day with books, movies and more from our collection. Here are a few recommendations to get you started:

Independence Day - Roland Emmerich’s 1996 summer blockbuster follows the response of the U.S. government, military, and everyday Americans to a worldwide alien attack. It’s a fun, over-the-top, self-aware sci-fi romp, and a perfect July watch. And, just as the title suggests, it’s set on and around Independence Day.

The War of the Worlds - This H.G. Wells masterpiece is one of the first pieces of literature to depict battle with alien life. It has been in print since 1898 and has inspired countless adaptations in all forms of media.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space - If you’re in search of a campier approach to UFO cinema, look no further than this iconic 1988 horror classic. Clownlike aliens in a circus-tent spaceship descend on the planet and wreak havoc on the town of Crescent Cove. Practical effects and B-movie hijinks helped elevate Killer Klowns to “kult klassic.” 

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - This Steven Spielberg classic hardly needs an introduction. Come for the mothership and special effects, stay for the iconic John Williams score.