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US Code quotation
TITLE 36, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, § 143
(a) Designation. December 17 is Wright Brothers Day.
(b) Purpose. Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane, that were made by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
(c) Proclamation. The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe Wright Brothers Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
See also: National Aviation Day
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Who were the Wright Brothers?
The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871 - January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867 - May 30, 1912), were two Americans who are generally credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight on 17 December 1903. In the two years afterward, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft. Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed wing flight possible.
Fun Facts:
"In 1903, the brothers built the powered Wright Flyer I, using their preferred material for construction, spruce, a strong and lightweight wood." "They also designed and carved their own wooden propellers, and had a purpose-built gasoline engine fabricated in their bicycle shop." "They thought propeller design would be a simple matter and intended to adapt data from shipbuilding." "However, their library research disclosed no established formulas for either marine or air propellers, and they found themselves with no sure starting point." "They discussed and argued the question, sometimes heatedly, until they concluded that an aeronautical propeller is essentially a wing rotating in the vertical plane." "On that basis, they used data from more wind tunnel tests to design their propellers." "The finished blades were just over eight feet long, made of three laminations of glued spruce." "The Wrights decided on twin "pusher" propellers (counter-rotating to cancel torque), which would act on a greater quantity of air than a single relatively slow propeller and not disturb airflow over the leading edge of the wings.... read the rest of the story at
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Other December Holidays around the world
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How can I Celebrate this holiday?
- It's Party Time! - Every Holiday deserves a party right?! So get ready for your next party by shopping for the lastest supplies to make your holday a real hit. You'll find fun stuff for children and adults.
- Send Free Internet Invitations! - If your ready to get together with your friends don't forget to invite them by email with these fun Internet Invitations. They are always fun & FREE!
- Blog with us about it! - We have a blog called "Everyday is a Holiday" so visit our pages and talk with us about this holiday and how you celebrated it. We would love to know.
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