Really, there’s only one way to celebrate Hot Air Balloon Day properly. But if you can’t catch a ride in a basket under a giant balloon today, know that the idea dates back at least to 3rd-century China, where paper lanterns were used as military signals. Fast forward to 18th-century France, where two paper-making brothers, the Montgolfiers, launched unmanned hot air balloons. Then, to great fanfare, they tried sending up a sheep, duck, and chicken, and finally, Étienne Montgolfier took a ride. Designs have improved since then, resulting in the standard hot air balloon seen here.
Up, up, and away for Hot Air Balloon Day
Today in History
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Midsummer in Sweden
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Halfway Day
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Greece celebrates its independence
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Honoring the rangers on World Ranger Day
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International Lighthouse Weekend
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World Population Day
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Welcome to the Hoh
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Earthrise on Moon Day
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Of moose and Maine
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A national icon
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Happy 800th, Salisbury Cathedral
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Penguin Awareness Day
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World Photography Day
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A gorge-ous mill in the Causses
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Happy Presidents Day
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Diving into the underwater nirvana
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J.R.R. Tolkien Day
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Welcome to my neck of the woods
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American bison, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
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Women s suffrage at 100
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Social climbing
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Humming along
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In search of a ‘great’ pumpkin
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A cozy winter village
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A hermitage with a view
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Honoring those who served
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Where can you find a red fox?
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Venture into a prehistoric gallery of art
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A wassailing we go
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Mount Hood, Oregon