Krakatoa, 1883
The New York Times of July 3, 1908 reported "remarkable lights" being "observed in the northern heavens on Tuesday and Wednesday nights." Scientists mistakenly attributed the dazzling displays to solar outbursts causing electrical disturbances in the atmosphere. Similar light displays had been reported in 1883 at the time of the Krakatoa volcanic explosion in the Sunda Strait, said the Times.