The Wright Brothers – First in Flight

Orville and Wilbur Wright conquered the skies on December 17, 1903 on a sand dune the locals called “Kill Devil Hill” near the former village of Kitty Hawk, when they taught the world how to fly.

Orville Wright himself and legendary aviator Amelia Earhart were among the distinguished guests at the official dedication ceremony of the Wright Brothers National Memorial Monument in Kill Devil Hills in 1932.

The Wright Brothers have been featured in pop culture through various mediums in the more than a century since their historic first takeoff.

[ Click here for our special feature on Kill Devil Hills in Pop Culture! ]

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson paid tribute to Orville and Wilbur in his song “Kill Devil Hill”, from Dickinson’s 2005 album Tyranny of Souls.

You can hear the song set to historical aviation imagery in the below!

The 100th anniversary of the Wrights’ first flight was celebrated on December 17, 2003 and honored with a five-day event at Wright National Memorial that included appearances by President George W. Bush, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Chuck Yeager, and actor John Travolta, and performances by The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Michelle Branch, Aaron Tippin, and Lee Greenwood.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2013, the First Flight Society and the National Park Service will continue the tradition of honoring the accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright at the 110th anniversary celebration of the first heavier-than-air powered flight. 

The event takes place at Wright Brothers National Memorial and park entrance fees will be waived for the duration of the event. 

Click HERE for the full schedule of events!

Click HERE for all the latest news and updates on The Wright Brothers!

_______________________________