Thursday, August 19, 2010

Celebrating National Aviation Day: An Air War Between Two States


Today two states claim to be the father of American Aviation. Ohio claims this honor because the Wright Brothers, originally bicycle machinists, were born in Ohio.

North Carolina prides itself because the Wright brothers-Orville in particular-- were the first Americans to be involved in successful flight of a powered, controlled, heavy than air craft.

On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright (born on August 19, 1871) claimed full honors for this remarkable feat at Kitty Hawk, a 12 second historic flight.

Thirty-six years later, in 1939, President Franklinl declared August 19
National Aviation Day in honor of Orville's birthday.




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