Steve Fossett circumnavigated the globe in 13 days, 8 hours, 33 minutes (14 days, 19 hours, 50 minutes to landing) and 20,626.48 statute miles by himself in the balloon, Spirit of Freedom.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.