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Show First Balloon Ascension The first successful balloon ascension ascen-sion in this country, was made by Francois Blanchard, a Frenchman, at Philadelphia om January 9, 1793. Blanchard had tried in 1784 to make a balloon with sails and a rudder, ' and in 1785 he crossed the English channel in a balloon and in the same year used a parachute. He came to America in 1792 and arranged to make an ascent from the yard of the old Walnut street prison in Philadelphia. Phila-delphia. President Washington was among the spectators on the date fixed. When the balloon rose into the air a salute was fired and a band played a lively tune. Blanchard landed at Coopers Ferry, in New Jersey, 45 minutes later and returned re-turned to Philadelphia, where he paid his respects to the President at his house. -t |