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
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Social climbing
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Raise your hand for Teacher Appreciation Day
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‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
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Combating extinction with citizen science
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Unearthing a queen s lost tale
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Presidents Day
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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
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Bird’s-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
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A crush in Lavaux
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Siblings that play together…
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Avatars of the Wolf Moon
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Baddest of the badlands
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Room at the top?
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Río Arazas in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain
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Giving Tuesday