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Get ready to reach new heights on January 9 with Balloon Ascension Day! This day commemorates the first successful hot air balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers in France back in 1783. Since then, hot air balloons have become a popular mode of transportation and a symbol of adventure and freedom. Whether you're taking a ride in a hot air balloon or just admiring their beauty from afar, this day is sure to be filled with excitement and wonder. So grab your loved ones and celebrate this historic achievement while looking up at the sky with awe and amazement.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1783</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Balloon Flight</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Montgolfier Brothers launched the first hot-air balloon called 'Aerostat Reveillon' in Paris, marking the beginning of manned flight.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1783</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Manned Balloon Flight</div><div class='timeline-text'>In November of the same year, Françoise Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arles became the first humans to experience flight in a Montgolfier Brothers’ balloon.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1785</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Balloon Crosses English Channel</div><div class='timeline-text'>Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Jeffries used a balloon to cross the English Channel for the first time.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1935</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Balloon Reaches Stratosphere</div><div class='timeline-text'>Explorer II, a gas balloon, reached the stratosphere at an altitude of 13.7 miles, breaking flight altitude records.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1961</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ballooning Becomes Competitive Sport</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) recognized ballooning as an official competitive air sport.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Balloon Solo Flight Around World</div><div class='timeline-text'>Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo around the world in a balloon in 2002, after five previous attempts.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a balloon-themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a party filled with balloons! From decorations to games and activities, this is a fun and creative way to celebrate Balloon Ascension Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a hot air balloon festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Research if there are any hot air balloon festivals happening near you on Balloon Ascension Day. It would be a great opportunity to witness the beautiful sight of hot air balloons ascending into the sky.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a hot air balloon ride</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you're feeling adventurous, book a hot air balloon ride for yourself or for a group of friends. This is a unique and exciting way to celebrate Balloon Ascension Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Release colorful balloons into the sky</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some balloons in various colors and sizes, and release them into the sky in honor of Balloon Ascension Day. This is a simple yet beautiful way to celebrate the holiday.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a movie about hot air balloons</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>There are many movies that feature hot air balloons as part of their plot. Gather some friends and watch one of these films to celebrate Balloon Ascension Day in a cozy and entertaining way.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a unique way to experience the beauty of hot air balloons</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>On Balloon Ascension Day, you have the opportunity to witness the spectacular sight of hot air balloons taking off and ascending into the sky. It's a breathtaking experience that allows you to appreciate the ingenuity and beauty of these iconic flying vessels.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a celebration of history and tradition</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Balloon Ascension Day has roots dating back to the late 1700s when hot air balloons were first invented. This holiday serves as an important reminder of our shared human achievements in aviation and showcases the long-standing tradition of launching hot air balloons into the sky.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a fun and family-friendly activity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Attending a balloon ascension event can be a perfect outing for families, friends, or even solo adventurers. You can admire the colorful and creative designs of the balloons, take pictures, and even ride in a hot air balloon yourself if you're feeling adventurous. It's a joyful and memorable experience for all ages.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The first balloon ascension took place in 1783</h3><p class='facts-content'>The first manned hot air balloon flight was carried out on June 4, 1783, by the Montgolfier Brothers in Annonay, France.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The first passengers were farm animals</h3><p class='facts-content'>The very first passengers of a hot-air balloon were a sheep, a duck, and a rooster, and the flight lasted for 8 minutes.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hot air ballooning is achievable due to the principle of buoyancy</h3><p class='facts-content'>The science behind balloon ascension is the principle of buoyancy, where heated air inside the balloon makes it lighter than the cooler air outside. This causes the balloon to rise.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The highest balloon ascent ever reached was over 128,000 feet</h3><p class='facts-content'>In 2012, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner ascended to over 128,000 feet in a helium balloon before free falling in a pressure suit to the Earth's surface.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Balloon ascensions are a major part of many festivals worldwide</h3><p class='facts-content'>From the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in the USA to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in the UK, balloon ascensions make for a popular spectacle at numerous events around the globe.</p></div></div>
Balloon Ascension Day is celebrated on January 9 every year. In 2024, Balloon Ascension Day will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Jan 9
Monday
2024
Jan 9
Tuesday
2025
Jan 9
Thursday
2026
Jan 9
Friday
2027
Jan 9
Saturday
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