This day in 1780 was a pretty scary day for Mainers. The skies went black and they didn't know why. Perhaps it was the end of days. Here's what Mainers experienced 242 years ago to this day that led some to believe that it was the end of the world AND what actually happened that led to this unusual event.

Get our free mobile app

The day the skies went dark across New England

On May 19th, 1780, the skies of New England went dark at 9 in the morning. American Heritage magazine describes the beginning of the day with a pink hue that darkened as the morning passed until noon reached an incredible darkness.

An article in Harper's Magazine cited by the Smithsonian, mentions the black out specifically with this: "Birds went to roost, cocks crowed at mid-day as at midnight, and the animals were plainly terrified."

Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
loading...

Some believed Judgement Day had arrived

Mainers and New Englanders didn't know what to make of the day that the skies went dark but it caused confusion and fear of the apocalypse.  Superstition and religion became the way to reason what happened, they interpreted it as Judgment Day, the day that they would meet their fate of death and destruction as described in the Bible as a part of the apocalypse.

According to an account from Celebrate Boston, the sun and moon where unusually red. The end of the day at midnight saw the passing of the darkness when stars appeared in the sky after a day of no sky.

Photo by Justin Bisson Beck on Unsplash
Photo by Justin Bisson Beck on Unsplash
loading...

So, what was the actual cause of this 'Dark Day of 1780' in New England?

The cause is believed to be smoke from forest fires in the west. There are even thoughts that it was a combination of fire smoke and fog. American Heritage cites a study by the International Journal of Wildland Fire which performed a tree ring study finding that there was a vast forest fire in southern Ontario and in other parts of Canada around this time along with drought. These conditions could make for a giant smoke cloud to pass over New England in large amounts.

Plenty of people were still very worried despite the passing of the darkness, including religious groups like the Shakers of New York. They saw this as a sign and started over two years of missionary service throughout the region to convert people to their sect of Christianity.

As fast as the dark day came and went, many were truly shaken by the event and their thoughts and fears now live in folklore and poems that were carried into the following generations.

LOOK: 100 years of American military history

A Unique Look Back at the History of the Portland International Jetport

The Portland International Jetport has a vast history. And now, thanks to Facebook group, "Portland Maine History 1786 to Present," we have some incredible images to share.

You will see the early days of the Portland City Airport, through the "Golden Age" and up to the jet engine era. Its truly a unique look at the Jetport's history.

A big thank you to the folks from Portland Maine History 1786 to Present for allowing us to share these.

LOOK: Food history from the year you were born

From product innovations to major recalls, Stacker researched what happened in food history every year since 1921, according to news and government sources.
 

More From WBZN Old Town Maine