Ann Hodges’ story is an extraordinary one, as she remains the only known person in history to have been struck by a meteorite. On November 30, 1954, in Sylacauga, Alabama, Hodges was resting on her couch when a meteorite weighing nine pounds crashed through her ceiling, ricocheted off a radio, and ultimately struck her on the upper thigh and hand, causing a large bruise. The meteorite in question was a fragment of a 4.5-billion-year-old space rock, making the incident all the more remarkable.
At the time of the event, official records indicate that the meteorite soared through the sky at 12:46 PM, with the impact occurring around 2:00 PM according to Hodges. The incident garnered widespread attention from both the local community and the scientific world, as it marked the first known instance of a human being hit by a meteorite and suffering injuries as a result.
The Fateful Day
Meteorite’s Impact
Earlier that day, the meteorite had shot across Alabama’s sky, breaking into multiple pieces. Another fragment was found a few miles away by a farmer named Julius Kempis McKinney. Ann Hodges and her family didn’t realize the significance of the event until a neighbor recognized that the rock that had struck her was not an ordinary one, but in fact a meteorite.
Ann Hodges’ story remains a unique example of a close encounter with an extraterrestrial object, and it serves as a reminder of the vast and unpredictable nature of the universe.
After the Incident
Legal Battle
Following the meteorite strike, a legal dispute erupted between Ann Hodges and her landlady, Birdie Guy. Guy claimed that since the meteorite had landed on her property, it belonged to her. She hired a lawyer and sued for ownership of the space rock. The case gained widespread attention as it was the first of its kind, and it took several months before a settlement was reached. Ultimately, Ann Hodges was allowed to keep the meteorite.
Eventually, Hodges was rewarded ownership of the meteorite, which she later donated to the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
Media Coverage
Ann Hodges’ story quickly received a significant amount of media attention. The incident was covered by newspapers, magazines, and radio stations across the country, and interviews with Hodges and her family members were conducted. The meteorite also drew the interest of scientists and researchers, who studied the space object to learn more about its origins and composition.
In addition to the legal battle and media frenzy surrounding the meteorite, Ann Hodges also had to deal with the physical aftermath of the incident. The meteorite left her with a large bruise on her side and hip, which required medical treatment. Despite the challenges she faced, Ann Hodges’ unique encounter with the meteorite remains a fascinating and rare event in human history.
Effects on Ann’s Life
Health Issues
Ann Hodges experienced both immediate and long-term health issues due to the meteorite impact. The meteorite struck her on her upper thigh and hand, leaving a large bruise and causing her considerable pain. In the years that followed, Ann suffered a nervous breakdown, and eventually passed away at age 52 due to kidney failure, which her husband Eugene suspected was related to the meteorite incident.
Public Perception and Mental Health
Following the meteorite strike, Ann Hodges became a minor celebrity. Her photograph appeared in Life magazine’s December 13, 1954 edition in an article titled “A Big Bruiser from the Sky”. The unexpected attention and media frenzy surrounding the event took a toll on Ann and her family. The trauma of the incident, alongside legal battles and overwhelming media attention, left lasting scars on Ann long after her physical bruises had healed.
Ultimately, the strain caused by the meteorite incident, public scrutiny, and other challenges forced Ann and her husband Eugene to separate.
Where Is The Hodges Meteorite Now?
The meteorite that struck Ann Hodges, commonly referred to as the Hodges Meteorite or Sylacauga meteorite, has since been preserved and split into multiple fragments.
The largest fragment of the meteorite is currently on display at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, where visitors can observe the significant space rock that significantly impacted Hodges’ life.
As for Ann Hodges herself, she passed away in 1972, but her unique story continues to be a fascinating example of the improbable and extraordinary encounters between humans and outer space objects. Though her life was undoubtedly impacted by the meteorite incident, the preservation and display of the Hodges Meteorite in museums serve as a testament to her place in history.
