117th Anniversary of First Flight - Wreath laying and Flyover
On December 17, 1903 the winds at Kitty Hawk, NC were high, but two brothers from Dayton, OH didn’t let that stop them. Orville Wright took the 1903 Wright Flyer into the air at 10:35am, Wilbur Wright helping to steady the wings. After four flights that day, the following telegram was sent home to Dayton: “Success four flights Thursday morning all against twenty one mile wind started from Level with engine power alone average speed through air thirty one miles longest 57 seconds inform Press home Christmas.” In celebration of First Flight, organizations in both Ohio and North Carolina are joining forces to commemorate the occasion. The National Aviation Heritage Area, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, First Flight Society, First Flight Foundation, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and Outer Banks Forever will be live-streaming a joint wreath-laying ceremony and flyover and will offer additional special programming throughout the day. Park entrance fees at Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina will be waived on the first flight anniversary. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Ohio is a free site.