On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles’s radio play “War of the Worlds” was broadcast, causing panic in many areas. The play features a fake invasion of the earth by people from Mars and many who tuned in late didn’t know it was a hoax and were frightened. A flight of hysterical refugees from the area featured in the play taxed the police and hospitals, confusing traffic and choking the usual means of communication.