Case file · Apparition / miracle
Clearwater 'Virgin Mary' window
In December 1996 a rainbow-coloured stain on the glass of an office building in Clearwater, Florida, was hailed as an image of the Virgin Mary; up to a million people came to see it.
1996 CE · 27.96, -82.75 · status: explained
The account
A religious group bought the building. In 2004 a vandal smashed the top panes, the 'head'.
The sceptical view
Glass experts said it was mineral residue from sprinkler water and weathering; similar stains appeared on other panes.