April 8, 2024, marks the anticipated occurrence of a rare total solar eclipse in select regions of the United States. Within the path of totality, spectators will witness the sun completely obscured by the moon for several minutes.
Total solar eclipses are infrequent phenomena, seldom observable in the United States. The most recent instance was in 2017, with the subsequent occurrence not expected until 2044.
Presented below is a compilation detailing every recorded total solar eclipse within the United States, categorized by century.
During the 18th century, the inaugural documented total solar eclipse took place in 1778, shortly following the nation’s independence. This event, observed from the Carolinas to New England, garnered attention from notable historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson and troops within George Washington’s army.
Moving into the 19th century, the first recorded eclipse occurred in 1806, traversing from Arizona through the Midwest to New England. Subsequent eclipses in 1869 and 1878 captured significant scientific interest, with notable observations and studies conducted by astronomers and innovators like Thomas Edison.
In the 20th century, pivotal eclipses included events in 1900, 1918, 1925, 1932, 1963, 1970, and 1979, each offering unique opportunities for observation and research.
Transitioning to the 21st century, only two total solar eclipses have graced the skies above the United States, notably in 2017 and the impending event on April 8, 2024. This forthcoming eclipse is forecasted to draw millions of spectators, with some regions proactively declaring states of emergency in anticipation of the influx of visitors.
Looking ahead, after the April 8 eclipse, the next total solar eclipse visible from the United States is not expected until August 2044. While total solar eclipses occur every one to three years globally, their visibility is often restricted to remote locations such as Earth’s poles or the vast expanses of the ocean.
