On this day · archive
Alone across the Atlantic by gas balloon
On September 14, 1984, Joe Kittinger lifted off from Caribou, Maine, in a gas balloon bound east. Roughly 83 hours later, he landed near Savona, Italy, completing the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic.
8
events in todayish file
1984
Joe Kittinger begins the flight that will become the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic.
The flight began in Maine on September 14 and ended near the Italian coast four days later.
Joe Kittinger departed Caribou, Maine, on September 14, 1984, beginning a solo gas-balloon flight across the Atlantic.
He landed near Savona, Italy, on September 18 after roughly 83 hours aloft, completing the first solo balloon crossing of the ocean.
A gas balloon has no engine to set its course. Its pilot depends on wind, changes altitude to seek favorable currents, and waits—a crossing shaped by patience as much as distance.
The full record
8 entries from the day’s archive, filed year by year with a note on what each one leaves behind.
Death of Queen Elizabeth II: The Queen's coffin is taken from Buckingham Palace, placed on a gun carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and moved in a procession to Westminster Hall for her lying in state over the next four days with the queue of mourners stretching for miles along the River Thames.
The coffin was moved to Westminster Hall for four days of lying in state as mourners queued for miles along the Thames.
Public memory
Yemen's Houthi rebels claim responsibility for an attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.
Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack on Saudi oil facilities.
Conflict
Aeroflot Flight 821, a Boeing 737-500, crashes into a section of the Trans-Siberian Railway while on approach to Perm International Airport, in Perm, Russia, killing all 88 people on board.
The aircraft crashed during its approach to Perm, killing all 88 people on board.
Disaster
Microsoft releases Windows Me.
Microsoft released the Windows Me operating system.
Technology
Telecommunications companies MCI Communications and WorldCom complete their $37 billion merger to form MCI WorldCom.
The $37 billion telecommunications merger formed MCI WorldCom.
Business
Penang Bridge, the longest bridge in Malaysia, connecting the island of Penang to the mainland, opens to traffic.
Malaysia’s longest bridge opened to traffic between Penang Island and the mainland.
Infrastructure
Joe Kittinger departs Caribou, Maine, on the solo gas-balloon flight that will cross the Atlantic.
The flight ended near Savona, Italy, on September 18 after roughly 83 hours aloft.
Aviation
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is founded.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries was founded.
Energy