Steve Fossett Cicumnavigates the World (20 Years on)

On this day in 2002 (3rd July), American businessman and adventurer Steve Fossett became the first person to circumnavigate the world solo in a balloon (the Spirit of Freedom). This was his sixth attempt and he held records for five nonstop circumnavigations  of the Earth: as a long-distance balloonist, a sailor and as a solo flight fixed-wing aircraft pilot.

Fossett disappeared in September 2007 whilst flying over the GreatBasin Desert (between California and Nevada) and was legalled declared dead in the following year. Later in the same year the wreckage of the aircraft was found in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Further reading

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2nd July 1947 – The Roswell Incident

The Roswell Incident, New Mexico, USA.

75 years ago today (2nd July 1947) a UFO reportedly crash-landed on a ranch, and debris with strange markings and unusual properties was found. The U.S. Air Force later claimed it was a device for monitoring nuclear activity.

Some witnesses also reported seeing the bodies of aliens, which the Air Force said were mannequins. The incident has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories ever since.

Further reading...

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Louis Bleriot - Born 150 Years Ago

150 years ago today (1^st July 1872) , French inventor and aviation pioneer Louis Blériot, was born.

He developed the first practical headlamp for cars and used the money to build the first successful powered monoplane. He also developed the modern aircraft control system and in 1909 became the first person to fly across the English Channel winning a prize of £1000 put up by the Daily Mail newspaper.

He died, aged 64, from a heart attack in August 1936.

Further reading

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