US: NICAP confidential UFO secrecy report to Congress
On June 21, 1960, NICAP submitted a confidential report to the US Congress warning about risks of UFO secrecy and summarizing documented cases. It called on lawmakers to publicly acknowledge UFO reality.
Background
Event
On June 21, 1960, the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) submitted a confidential report to the US Congress. The report was titled "The Dangers of Secrecy about UFOs and a Summary of Documented Evidence" and warned of the risks of a continued policy of concealment.
Content and Purpose
The document set out documented UFO observations and urged legislators to acknowledge officially that such phenomena existed. Donald E. Keyhoe, NICAP's director, wrote the report to press for transparency and to draw attention to the potential dangers of secrecy. It contained a selection of verified cases from credible witnesses.
Significance
This step increased the pressure on bodies such as Project Blue Book and contributed to later congressional hearings. NICAP established itself as the leading civilian UFO research group campaigning for disclosure.