What Are You Doing for National Aviation Day?

Museums and aircraft enthusiasts mark the occasion with fly-ins and reflection.

Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 12:20 PM ET

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National Aviation Day marks the anniversary of Orville Wright's birth. He piloted history's first powered flight in 1903. [Courtesy: National Archives]

Key Takeaways:

National Aviation Day, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, is celebrated on August 19th to honor Orville Wright's birthday and reflect on the significant advancements during the "Golden Age of Aviation."
The day serves as an occasion to appreciate aviation's past achievements, its current role as a technological marvel, and its future potential.
Across the country, various museums and organizations, including the First Flight Society, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and the Henry Ford Museum, host events featuring aircraft displays, expert talks, and interactive experiences, with virtual celebrations also taking place.

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt made August 19 the official National Aviation Day with a presidential proclamation in 1939. The date honors Orville Wright’s birthday and the year reflects a particularly exciting time in aircraft development.

It was the tail end of what has come to be known as the Golden Age of Aviation. Only 36 years had passed since Wright made the first powered flight in a kite-like, heavier-than-air craft, but much had changed. Aviation had grown into a bustling, highly competitive industry marked by innovative developments and widespread experimentation.