1921 National Balloon Race Held In Birmingham

On May 21, 1921 the National Balloon Race was held in Birmingham, Alabama and was featured as the centerpiece of the city’s celebration of its “Semi-centennial” year.

Senator Tom Heflin arranged for a visit by the U.S. Navy’s 162-foot-long E-1 blimp from Pensacola, Florida to help fill the skies with excitement during the launch.

The National Balloon Race was launched at night under clear skies with seven competing balloons. Ernest Demuyter was declared the winner after he landed his balloon at North Hero Island in Lake Champlain near Canada. He traveled 1,099 miles from Birmingham in 40 hours and 15 minutes after the launch.

The top three finishers qualified to represent the United States at the 1921 International Spherical Balloon Race to be launched from Brussels Belgium in September.