Kenneth Arnold Sighting — 'Flying Saucers' Coined (1947)

Private pilot Kenneth Arnold reported nine unusual objects flying in formation past Mount Rainier at estimated speeds of 1,200+ mph — far beyond any 1947 aircraft. He described their motion as 'like a saucer skipping across water,' which newspapers shortened to 'flying saucers.' The term entered the global lexicon overnight. Arnold was a respected businessman and experienced pilot with no motive to fabricate. The sighting triggered a wave of reports across the US and marked the beginning of the modern UFO era — two weeks before Roswell.