The Almanac

August 17

One thing science and human progress accomplished on this date.

  1. 1978

    The first balloon crosses the Atlantic

    The helium balloon Double Eagle II settled into a field near Paris, completing the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by balloon. Its three American crew had drifted for nearly six days from Maine, succeeding where many earlier attempts had failed.

    Source: Wikipedia

Browse every day in The Almanac →

The next breakthrough is happening now.

We send you the day's real progress every morning: the discoveries, the quiet wins, the proof it's still happening. Free, forever.