Special Veterans Day Talk – Civil War Balloonists – the First American Air Force

“The American Civil War featured the first large-scale use of aerial reconnaissance and artillery spotting by the United States Army. And one of the most pivotal figures in the early history of manned aerial reconnaissance was Thaddeus S.C. Lowe. On June 18, 1861, hovering above the nation’s capital at an altitude of 500 feet, Lowe transmitted the first air-to-ground electronic communication via telegraph. And the recipient? President Abraham Lincoln.”

And so the story continues. Come hear local author Mark Alberston discuss the Balloon Corps – the first American Air Force for this very special Veterans Day event. Wine and cheese, good talk, good folk. The Rowayton Library, 33 Highland Avenue, Rowayton, CT - 203-838-5038. This program is free and open to the public.