Mr. Lincoln's Air Force Family Day

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A weather balloon shows visitors what Thaddeus Lowe would have seen from his hot-air balloon in 1861 at the "Mr. Lincoln's Air Force" Family Day in 2011. The event commemorated the 150th anniversary of Lowe's tethered ascent in a gas balloon, which attracted the support of President Lincoln and led to the creation of a balloon corps for the Union Army.

Mark Avino

NASM2011-01614

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

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