National Aviation Day, proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, celebrates the history and advancement of aviation. This celebration takes place each year on August 19th in commemoration of the birthdays of Orville Wright and his younger sister Katharine Wright Haskell, both pioneers of flight.
The celebration of National Aviation Day encourages public awareness of aviation’s impact on society and provides an opportunity for people to appreciate and acknowledge the remarkable history of flight and to inspire future generations of the possibilities available in the aviation industry.
In 1903, the Wright Brothers flew the first powered, heavier-than-air flying machine at Kitty Hawk from the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
A mere thirty-six years later, the aviation industry was growing in leaps and bounds in the United States and around the world. So, in 1939, recognizing aviation’s significant and undeniable impact, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed August 19th ‘National Aviation Day’, selected as such on the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday.
Designated as National Aviation Day, the text of Proclamation USC 36:I:A:1: §118 states:
The President may issue each year a proclamation:
- designating August 19 as National Aviation Day.
- calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on National Aviation Day and
- inviting the people of the United States to observe National Aviation Day with appropriate exercises to further stimulate interest in aviation in the United States.
Observed each year on August 19, National Aviation Day is a celebration of the history and development of aviation and a day to contemplate how far the science and technology of aviation have progressed and to consider where it might lead in the future.
This August 19th, visit an aviation museum, attend an event or demonstration dedicated to the history and science of aviation, or research a future career in the aviation industry. With so many aviation venues in the NY Metropolitan area, these are just a few of them. Check out their websites and let the wind carry you!
- The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey
- American Airpower Museum
- Connecticut Air & Space Center
- Cradle of Aviation Museum
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- New York Hall of Science
Attend an event or educational program
Look for an event or educational program, workshop, or film screening focused on aviation history and innovation at a local library, community center, or aviation museum.
Explore the world of aviation and its history
There are a boundless number of resources through literature, historical accounts, and online websites.
Check out the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s digital photo archive on which contains a collection of over 41,000 archival images of aviation pioneers, historic Long Island airfields, aircraft, spaceflight, and more https://nyheritage.org/organizations/cradle-aviation-museum
Experiential activities:
Take an introductory flight lesson at one of the many local flight schools with a certified flight instructor.
Go Planespotting at a safe nearby location or airport.
Learn how to build model airplane, or fly a drone. Most of all enjoy the day year-round. Fair skies!