US newspaper's 1970 solar eclipse prediction for 2024 comes true. Viral pic

The newspaper clipping that correctly predicted the solar eclipse in 2024, back in 1970. (Image credit: Screengrab from Twitter/@Rainmaker1973).

One of the things that large parts of the world wishes to know at the start of a new year is what life could throw at them in the upcoming 12 months, so that they can stay prepared when some of the forecasted events actually take place.

A Ohio-based newspaper in the United States had predicted in 1970 that North America and Central America would witness a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.  54 years on, that forecast by the newspaper is about to come true and the clipping predicting the event has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter).

Ohio newspaper from 1970 forecasting this year’s April 8 solar eclipse.

u/Fleegle1834 pic.twitter.com/KpMpT9kYUT — Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) March 19, 2024

The post saw numerous comments from users, who could not believe how the prediction made so many years ago had come true.

"Wow, it's fascinating to see a newspaper from 1970 predicting this year's solar eclipse! History does repeat itself in mesmerizing ways," one user wrote.

"A 2024 Solar Eclipse forecast made in 1970. Interesting. I can imagine some of those old people who read the newspaper then saying: "2024, that's a long time to come! Would the world still be existing by then?" another user wrote.

"Fascinating to see predictions of celestial events from the past. It reminds us of the awe-inspiring nature of the universe and our place within it. Science and history intertwined in a single newspaper page," a third user wrote.

A total solar eclipse takes place when the Moon is closer to the Earth than average and passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. On August 12, 2026, residents in countries such as Greenland and Iceland will get to witness a solar eclipse.