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The history behind how Area 51 became the center of alien conspiracy theories

Alien enthusiasts gather at Area 51 gates in Nevada desert

Inside History on Instagram: "In 2019, the internet managed to joke its way into a real-world moment known as the Area 51 raid. It began as a viral Facebook event called Storm Area 51, where millions of people clicked “going” on a tongue-in-cheek plan to rush the secretive base and “see them aliens.” What started as a meme quickly spiraled into global attention—and genuine concern from authorities. When the day finally came, only a few thousand people gathered in the Nevada desert. Most treated