Millions of Americans Witness Total Solar Eclipse

Millions of Americans witnessed the natural phenomenon of the moon passing in front of the sun, or total solar eclipse, on Monday, August 21. According to Reuters, the last total solar eclipse in the U.S. occurred in 1979, but the last nationwide eclipse from the east (Atlantic coast) to the west (Pacific coast) took place in 1918. People from Oregon to South Carolina experienced darkness and totality for two minutes. Reuters reports that 12 million people live in the path of this solar phenomenon. The total solar eclipse was visible over an area 4,000 kilometers long and 113 kilometers wide. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, along with his wife and child, also watched the eclipse from the White House. Many traveled to areas where the phenomenon was visible. The total solar eclipse began in Oregon at 10:15 AM and then spread eastward across the U.S. Reports indicate that many cities in the path of the total eclipse had public viewing areas set up. Meanwhile, many American citizens living outside the total eclipse area also witnessed a partial eclipse. In Washington, Donald Trump, along with his wife and child, watched the eclipse from the White House.