"The War of the Worlds" was a radio broadcast directed by Orson Welles and aired on October 30, 1938. It was an adaptation of H.G. Wells' science fiction novel about an alien invasion. The broadcast was presented as a series of news bulletins, which led many listeners to believe that the events were real, causing widespread panic. The program was part of the Mercury Theatre on the Air series and was notable for its realistic sound effects and dramatic storytelling. Despite the chaos it caused, the broadcast also highlighted the power of radio as a medium for storytelling and its influence on public perception.