National Aviation Day

August 19, 2005 -- National Aviation Day celebrates Wilbur and Orville Wright's historic first flight 102 years ago at Kill Devil Hill, N.C. Their aircraft, Flyer, lifted from level ground to the north of Big Kill Devil Hill at 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 17, 1903. Orville Wright piloted the 605-pound machine during the flight, traveling 120 feet in 12 seconds.

The airplane places third on the National Academy of Engineering's 20 greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, which were selected by professional engineering societies and leading engineering experts from academia, industry, and government.

• Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century

Other Resources:

• Wright Brothers National Memorial