Celebrate National Aviation Day at Wright Brothers Memorial
Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, site of the first flight, will be celebrating Orville Wright’s birthday, recognized throughout the country as National Aviation Day, on August 19 with a full day of activities and free admission to the public.
Read on for the full schedule of events!
Wright Brothers National Memorial is the place to be on Wednesday, August 19, as the First Flight Society and the National Park Service commemorate National Aviation Day with flight-related activities throughout the day. The park will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and entrance fees will be waived for the event.
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed August 19 as National Aviation Day–a historic day of national observance celebrating the development of aviation. August 19 is also Orville Wright’s birthdate!
All-Day Activities:
Junior Ranger Program: Kids can pick-up a junior ranger booklet, learn about the Wright brothers to complete the activities, and be sworn-in as a junior ranger.
Aviation Exploration: Join Tom Freeman, Safety and Education Specialist for the North Carolina Department of Transportation Aviation Division, as he explores the field of aviation through presentations and special activities.
Kite-Making: The Wright brothers first tested their flight theories by flying kites. Kitty Hawk Kites will be on hand to teach you how to make your very own kite.
Model Airplane Displays: Dare County Radio Control Flight Club will have several model airplanes on display.
Aircraft on Display: Various airplanes and helicopters will be on display near the Wright Brothers Monument. Get a close look at modern-day flying machines and talk with their pilots.
Scheduled Activities:
10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – Flight Room Talks: Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk. Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium (25 minutes).
11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. – Snapshot in Time: Explore the profound power of this site as a park ranger discusses the flights of December 17, 1903. First Flight Boulder (15 minutes).
12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – The Bishop’s Boys and To Be The First to Fly: Join Tom Crouch, Senior Curator of the Aeronautics Department of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, for two exciting talks that delve into the pioneering days of aviation. Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium (30 minutes).
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