© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Give Now
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Welles, Wells and 'The War of the Worlds'

NPR | By Steve Inskeep,
Renee Montagne
Published June 29, 2005 at 12:00 AM EDT

On Oct. 30, 1938, H.G. Wells' science-fiction story about an invasion from Martians was heard on the Columbia Broadcasting System, adapted into a radio play by film auteur Orson Welles. But many listeners across the country believed that the play was an actual news report.

Copyright 2005 NPR
Steve Inskeep
Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.
See stories by Steve Inskeep
Renee Montagne
Renee Montagne, one of the best-known names in public radio, is a special correspondent and host for NPR News.