Celebrate Balloon Ascension Day on January 9th

At 10 a.m. on the morning of January 9, 1793, history was made in American skies. Jean Pierre Blanchard made the first aerial trip in a yellow hot air balloon. This January 9th, Americans will commemorate that day 218 years ago when the Frenchman took to the skies from Walnut Street Prison in Philadelphia, the nation's capital at the time. Blanchard, famous French aeronaut, had filled his balloon with hydrogen and sold tickets for $5 for the take off. Our first president, General George Washington and French dignitaries arrived minutes before the take off to witness this amazing feat.

Blanchard had taken to the skies in hydrogen powered balloons 44 times in Europe. This adventurer decided that he would be the first to perform this feat in the New World.

Blanchard insisted on taking the hot air balloon journey alone. He didn't even want anyone to accompany him on the ground aboard wagons. His ascent into the sky was perpendicular at first, enabling him to see the various expressions of astonishment on spectators' faces . It was a perfect day for flight. His balloon continued to float with southeasterly winds while climbing 5,800 feet in the air. Blanchard conducted experiments and recorded them in his journal.

Blanchard landed 46 minutes later in Woodbury, N.J. some 15 miles southeast of Philadelphia. He was greeted by a couple of astounded farmers. His first problem immediately presented itself: how was he going to get back to Philadelphia? His second problem lay in the fact that he spoke very little English. He was a foreigner gliding into their field in this strange sky thing.

Somehow, Blanchard communicated with one of the farmers by showing them President Washington's signature and seal on the document he brought with him. The farmers helped him carefully fold and stow his hot air balloon on a wagon. They arrived in Philadelphia at 7 o'clock that evening.

Blanchard's first aerial flight on his hot air balloon in the New World was witnessed by 40,000 people. There's more to America's first Balloon Ascension Day, and you can find it here:
http://www.historynet.com/jean-pierre-blanchard-made-first-us-aerial-voyage-in-1793.htm/1

There are no known festivities on Jan. 9th to commemorate Balloon Ascension Day. Albuquerque, New Mexico hosts the International Balloon Fiesta in October. More than 600 balloons are launched at one of the biggest gatherings in the United States. People come from all over the world to participate and see the show. If you like hot air balloon shows, find out more about the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque here:
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/faqs