October 13, 1917: The Miracle of the Sun, Cova, Fatima, Portugal

Jacinta Marto,
Lúcia (Lucy)de Jesus Rosa Santos,
Francisco Marto

In July Our Lady had promised a miracle for the final apparition, on October 13, so that all would believe. What transpired became known as "Miracle of the Sun". A crowd believed to be approximately 70,000 in number including newspaper reporters and photographers, gathered at the Cova da Iria. The rain had finally ceased and a thin layer of clouds cloaked the silver disc of the sun such that it could be looked upon without hurting one’s eyes. Lúcia called out to the crowd to look at the sun. Sometime while Lucia was pointing towards the sun and seeing various religious figures in the sky, the sun appeared to change colors and rotate, like a fire wheel. For some, the sun appeared to fall from the sky before retreating, for others, it zig-zagged. The phenomenon was witnessed by most in the crowd as well as people many miles away.