The Counsel of Trent
#1030 - FFAF: 1986's Balloon and Handholding Record Failures
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Quick takeaways
- The Hands Across America event aimed to unite millions but faced logistical issues and fell short of its fundraising goals, raising only $15 to $20 million.
- Balloon Fest 1986 intended to set a record for a mass balloon release, but severe weather caused dangerous consequences, including tragic accidents and legal repercussions for organizers.
Deep dives
The Ambitious but Flawed Hands Across America
Hands Across America was a significant event aimed at uniting millions of Americans in a human chain to raise funds for poverty and hunger relief. It took place on May 25, 1986, and inspired by previous charity efforts like 'We Are the World', the organizers hoped to gather between 5 to 10 million participants. Despite efforts that attracted around 5.5 million people linking hands across 17 states, the event fell short of its fundraising goal, only raising between $15 to $20 million. Furthermore, logistical challenges, especially in the arid regions of Arizona, hindered the continuity of the chain due to heat, leading to gaps that organizers attempted to fill with ribbons and alternative methods, but failed to create a complete connection across the country.
