WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY
By Presidential Proclamation, December 17th is Wright Brothers Day. Each year, a proclamation invites the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
#WrightBrothersDay
The US Code directs that Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane. Orville and Wilbur Wright made that first successful flight on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. While other inventors created planes that flew, Orville and Wilbur invented the first mechanically propelled aeroplane. Those inventors who came before them inspired the Wright brothers in many ways, too.
From a young age, Orville Wright and his brother, Wilbur, developed a fascination with flight. Inspired by a rubber band propelled helicopter created by the inventor, Alphonse Penaud, the brothers dedicated their lives to the invention. They first found success manufacturing bicycles, including the Van Cleve and St. Clair.
They never lost interest in flight and continued to develop designs. By 1902, the future aviators were making progress with their gliders and nearing a successful mechanical flight. They sold their bicycle business, and on December 17, 1903, achieved their goal.
Orville Wright ( August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948 )
Orville Wright made the first flight for 12 seconds and 120 feet around the Wright Brothers National Memorial site, just south of Kitty Hawk on that date. While the Wright Brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, they are recognized as the first to invent aircraft controls that made the fixed-wing flight possible.
Wilbur Wright ( April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912 )
More in Flight
Wright Brothers Day also recognizes other accomplishments in aviation history. Many exciting accomplishments, adventure, and daring heroism take place in aviation. In fact, numerous museums and landmarks around the world will walk you through aviation’s impressive timeline. From the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Ohio to March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California, and the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., nearly every state in the U.S. fills the imagination with original and replica planes of the pioneers of flight. Even the early frontier of space flight makes the schedule for aviation enthusiasts! Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center will not disappoint.
Of course, local libraries answer the call with shelves lined with books about every era of aviation. NASA also offers free e-books.
Interesting Aviation Facts
- The wingspan of the 747 is 120 feet, which is longer than the original Wright Brothers flight.
- Food tastes different under cabin pressure in an airplane.
- In the United States, over 6,000 passengers are flying at any given moment.
- For every hour spent flying, you can lose about two cups of water from your body. If you’re traveling cross-country, keep yourself hydrated.
- The President and Vice President of the United States never fly together, nor do they fly with the House of Representatives’ Speaker. Prince Charles never flies with Prince William. Just in case…
HOW TO OBSERVE WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY
Explore the history of flight. While you’re at it, discover other fascinating adventurers, too! Here’re a few names to get you started.
Legendary Aviators
- AMELIA EARHART – Female aviation pioneer
- BESSIE COLEMAN – First female aviator of both African American and Native American descent
- CHARLES LINDBERGH – first solo trans-Atlantic flight.
- MANFRED VON RICHTHOFEN – WWI flying ace, the celebrated “Red Baron”
- JERRIE MOCK – First woman aviator to successfully circumnavigate the globe solo
- HOWARD HUGHES – Aviator, tycoon, movie maker, and all-around eccentric
- CHUCK YEAGER – The test pilot who broke the sound barrier
- YURI GAGARIN – First man in space
Would you like to learn more? We celebrate aviation throughout the calendar. Check out these days, too!
Are you looking for other ways to celebrate the day? Consider these options.
- Read about the Wright Brothers and other aviation accomplishments. We recommend The Wright Brothers by David McCullough, Wilbur and Orville: A Biography of the Wright Brothers by Fred Howard, Flight: 100 Years of Aviation by R.G. Grant.
- Watch a documentary. A couple that you might find interesting include Kitty Hawk: The Wright Brothers’ Journey of Invention, directed by David Garrigus, and The Wright Stuff, narrated by Garrison Keillor.
- Build a model airplane or fly a drone in honor of the Wright Brothers.
Use #WrightBrothersDay to post on social media.
WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY HISTORY
A joint resolution of Congress declared December 17, 1963, as Wright Brothers Day. Congress later amended the resolution (77 Stat. 402; U.S.C. 143), designating December 17th of each year as Wright Brothers Day and authorized the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Wright Brothers FAQ
Q. Where was the Wright Brothers’ bicycle shop?
A. The Wright Brothers’ bicycle operations were located in Dayton, OH.
Q. What was the name of the Wright Brothers’ flying machine?
A. The brothers named the machine they flew on December 17, 1903, the Wright Flyer.
Q. Who flew the Wright Flyer?
A. On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright flew the first successful flight. However, Wilbur bested his brother’s first flight. On the last and fourth flight of the day, Wilbur flew 852 feet (255.6 meters) in 59 seconds.
Q. Who helped the Wright brothers build the Wright Flyer?
A. Machinist Charlie Taylor built the 12-horsepower engine that propelled the Wright Flyer into the sky.
December 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) History
1892
Arthur Baldwin Turnure published the first edition of the society and fashion journal titled Vogue. It recorded the “ceremonial side of life” in the world of debutants and the upper class.
1903
Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully complete the first powered and controlled flight.
1933
The NFL host their first Championship Game. The New York Giants battled against the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field in Chicago before a crowd of 30,000 fans. In a thrilling comeback, the Bears defeated the Giants, 23-21.
1969
The Air Force terminates Project Blue Book. Started in 1947, the project investigated reports of Unidentified Flying Objects.
1989
The animated television show The Simpsons debuts on Fox. Created by Matt Groening, the show featured the Simpson family, including husband and wife Homer and Marge, their children Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and Homer’s father, Grandpa Simpson.
2003
On the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ powered flight, pilot Brian Binnie achieved supersonic flight in SpaceShipOne. Designed by Burt Rutan, it was the first time the privately built spacecraft had reached such speeds.
December 17th Celebrated (And Not So Celebrated) Birthdays
Deborah Sampson – 1760
During the Revolutionary War, Sampson disguised herself as a man using the name Robert Shurtliff and enlisted in the Continental Army. She is one of a handful of women who also received a military pension at that time.
Mary Cartwright – 1900
The British mathematician was a leading contributor to chaos theory. In 1947, Cartwright was elected to the Royal Society. She was also the first woman to serve on its council. In 1964, she also became the first woman to receive the society’s Sylvester Medal.
Mary Kenneth Keller – 1913
After taking her vows from the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1940, Sister Mary Kenneth attended DePaul University in Chicago. She studied mathematics and further pursued an education in computer science. On June 7, 1965, she became the first woman in the United States to receive a Ph.D. in computer science.
Burt Baskin – 1917
One half of the Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream business duo, Burt Baskin joined his brother-in-law Irv Robbins in 1948.
Eddie Kendricks – 1939
In 1960, Kendricks founded the American vocal group The Temptations. Their original line-up included Kendricks, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin, and Paul Williams. Kendricks’ falsetto voice complemented several hits by The Temptations, including “My Girl,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” and “Hey Girl.”
