Sunday, August 19, 2012

Happy National Aviation Day!



On August 19, 1871 Orville Wright was born (his brother Wilbur Wright was born April 16, 1867). December 17, 1903 Orville Wright, winning a coin toss between himself and brother Wilbur, became the first man to achieve and sustain powered flight in a heavier than air aircraft. In 1939, president Franklin Roosevelt declared August 19 to be National Aviation Day, honoring Orville Wright's historic accomplishment. This accomplishment changed the world in perhaps more ways than any event that has happened since. Aviation has advanced shipping, commerce, travel, military, etc. in so many ways. People can travel longer distances in shorter amounts of time. Remote areas where we have not been able to build rails or roads have become accessible. This day has been established to celebrate the history and achievements in aviation and among aviators. Even though this day has passed for many years with little acknowledgement, I will continue to blog about remarkable achievements made by aviators in history and in the present.

A short documentary on the first flight at Kitty Hawk.