The sport of Hot Air Ballooning started in France in 1783 by the Mongolfier brothers. The two brothers were paper makers and were intrigued by how smoke and fire lifted small pieces of paper. So they began making small balloons, lighting them, and chasing them into the countryside. After doing this several times, they decide to attach a cage to a small balloon and they sent a sheep, a chicken, and a goose up into the countryside. Shortly after the animals survived their first flight, the first man was sent up in a balloon. Modern day hot-air ballooning became popular during the 1960's in the United States.

The Balloonist Prayer

The winds have welcomed you with softness,
The sun has blessed you with his warm hands,
You have flown so high and so well,
That God has joined you in your laughter,
And set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth.