Wright Brothers Day
December 17, Wednesday
When it is celebrated
The holiday is observed annually on December 17.
It was on December 17, 1903, that the Wright brothers made the first successful flight of their airplane at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina.
History of establishment
Wright Brothers Day was officially established by the President of the USA in 1963. Since then, every year the president issues a proclamation confirming the celebration of the holiday and highlighting the importance of aviation for the country.
Why it is celebrated
The holiday was created to:
* highlight the historical significance of the first flight
* recognize the impact of aviation on the development of science, transportation, and defense
* honor the talent, perseverance, and engineering genius of the Wright brothers
* inspire new generations of engineers, designers, and pilots
How it is celebrated
The holiday is not a public holiday, but it is observed at the national level.
On this day, the following activities usually take place:
* ceremonies at aviation museums
* lectures and educational events on the development of aviation
* demonstrations of airplane models
* school and technical center events dedicated to the history of flight
* laying flowers at Wright brothers’ monuments
Interesting facts
* The first flight lasted only 12 seconds and covered a distance of 36.5 meters, but it became a historic breakthrough
* Orville Wright piloted the airplane during this flight, while Wilbur observed and recorded the results
* The Wright brothers’ name is given to airports, bridges, scientific institutions, and even lunar craters
Wright Brothers Day in other years
- 2021 December 17, Friday
- 2022 December 17, Saturday
- 2023 December 17, Sunday
- 2024 December 17, Tuesday
- 2026 December 17, Thursday