"Although some pro-UFO researchers argue
that sightings of UFOs go back to Biblical times, most
researchers wil~ not dispute that anything in UFO
history can compare with the phenomenon that began in
1947. What was later characterized as "the UFO wave of
1947" began with 16 alleged sightings that occurred
between May 17 and July 12, 1947, (although some
researchers claim there were as many as 800 sightings
during that period). Interestingly, the "Roswell
Incident" was not considered one of these 1947 events
until the 1978-1980 time frame. There is no dispute,
however, that something happened near Roswell in July,
1947, since it was reported in a number of contemporary
newspaper articles; the most famous of which were the
July 8 and July 9 editions of the Roswell Daily Record.
The July 8 edition reported "RAAF Captures Flying Saucer
On Ranch In Roswell Region," while the next day's
edition reported, "Ramey Empties Roswell saucer" and
"Harassed Rancher Who Located 'Saucer' Sorry He Told
About It."
The first story reported that the Intelligence Officer
of the 509th Bomb Group, stationed at Roswell AAF, Major
Jesse A. Marcel, had recovered a "flying disc" from the
range lands of an unidentified rancher in the vicinity
of Roswell and that the disc had been "flown to higher
headquarters." That same story also reported that a
Roswell couple claimed to have seen a large unidentified
object fly by their home on July 2, 1947."
Källa. National Security Agency (NSA):
https://www.nsa.gov/Portals/70/documents/news-features/declassified-documents/ufo/report_af_roswell.pdf
"The military's initial press release was straightforward in its handling of the discovery of wreckage by rancher
W.W. "Mac" Brazel.
"The many rumors regarding the flying disc became a reality yesterday when the intelligence office of the 509th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, Roswell Army Air Field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the cooperation of one of the local ranchers and the sheriff's office of Chaves County," the press release read.
"The flying object landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week. Not having phone facilities, the rancher stored the disc until such time as he was able to contact the sheriff's office, who in turn notified Maj. Jesse A. Marcel of the 509th Bomb Group Intelligence Office. Action was immediately taken and the disc was picked up at the rancher's home. It was inspected at the Roswell Army Air Field and subsequently loaned by Major Marcel to higher headquarters."
Källa:
https://www.wired.com/2010/07/0708army-announces-roswell-new-mexico-ufo-sighting/
"The UFO museum was organized to inform the public about what has come to be known as "The Roswell Incident" as well as all other aspects of the UFO phenomena. The corporation's mission statement includes the goal to educate, not convince, the general public about the Roswell Incident and all aspects of the UFO phenomena."
Källa:
https://roswell-nm.gov/692/UFO-Story