In 1780, an eerie midday darkness terrified New England and baffled early scientists
Nature
In 1780, a mysterious and sudden darkness fell over New England at midday, causing birds to sleep and residents to fear that the biblical Day of Judgment had finally arrived.
New England's Dark Day remains one of the most eerie atmospheric events in American history. By noon on May 19, 1780, the sky had turned so black that candles were lit and the legislature in Connecticut was forced to adjourn. For centuries, the cause remained a mystery, with many locals interpreting the gloom as a divine sign.