This Day in History: The U.S. Army Air Service & the first midair refueling
On this day in 1923, two biplanes conduct the first successful midair refueling. Well, sort of. They made the first midair transfer using...
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tara
- Jun 24, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The first American to fly
On this day in 1784, the first American “aviator” takes to the skies. Would you believe that this individual was none other than a...
tara
- May 6, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Hindenburg’s tragic last trip
On this day in 1937, the Hindenburg catches fire and crashes in New Jersey. Somewhat ironically, the airship was then celebrating the one...
tara
- Mar 10, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: “Pardo’s Push” saves a pilot
On this day in 1967, a United States Air Force pilot risks his life to save his wingman. Captain John R. “Bob” Pardo would try an...
tara
- Feb 9, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Apollo 14 returns from the moon
On this day in 1971, the crew of Apollo 14 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean. The astronauts had just become the third NASA crew to walk...
tara
- Jan 26, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Bessie Coleman, First Licensed Black Aviator
On this day in 1892, Bessie Coleman is born to a poor sharecropping family in Atlanta, Texas. She would later become the first black...
tara
- Jan 13, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: A Boeing 737 crashes into the Potomac
On this day in 1982, a Boeing 737 crashes into the icy waters of the Potomac. Air Florida Flight 90 had stalled during takeoff, then...
tara
- Jan 9, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: George Washington, patron of aviation pioneers?
On this day in 1793, the first successful balloon flight is made from American soil. Did you know that President George Washington was in...
tara
- Jun 20, 2020
- 3 min
This Day in History: Bravery at the Battle of the Philippine Sea
On this day in 1944, Americans win a decisive victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea. The Imperial Japanese Navy would be crippled,...
tara
- Jun 11, 2020
- 3 min
This Day in History: Charles Lindbergh & his historic flight
On this day in 1927, Colonel Charles Lindbergh is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He had just finished a historic nonstop...
tara
- Jun 10, 2020
- 3 min
This Day in History: Ruth Law, daring aviatrix and “Queen of the Aces”
On this day in 1919, American aviatrix Ruth Law breaks an altitude record. It was just one of many records that she’d break! Indeed, Law...
tara
- May 25, 2020
- 3 min
This Day in History: JFK’s “Moon Shot” Speech
On this day in 1961, John F. Kennedy shakes the country into action with a memorable address. “I believe that this nation,” he told...
tara
- May 17, 2020
- 3 min
This Day in History: World War II’s most famous bomber, Memphis Belle
On this day in 1943, a B-17 Flying Fortress completes its 25th combat mission without losing a member of its crew. Memphis Belle would...
tara
- Feb 8, 2020
- 3 min
This Day in History: NASA and the first untethered spacewalk
On this day in 1984, a NASA astronaut makes the first untethered spacewalk. No one had ever done such a thing before. Usually, a long...
tara
- Nov 2, 2019
- 3 min
This Day in History: Howard Hughes’s “Spruce Goose” flies
On this day in 1947, the “Spruce Goose” flies for the first and only time. With a wingspan of 320 feet, it was the largest airplane to...
tara
- Oct 29, 2019
- 3 min
This Day in History: Tragedy hits the Cal Poly football team
On this day in 1960, a plane carrying the Cal Poly football team crashes in Ohio. The tragedy was the first airline crash involving a...
tara
- Oct 15, 2019
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Wright Brothers create a “practical” aircraft
On this day in 1905, Wilbur Wright makes a record-setting airplane flight. His Flyer III would stay in the air for more than 38 minutes....
tara
- Aug 23, 2017
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Freckleton Air Disaster
On this day in 1944, the Freckleton Air Disaster occurs. It has been called the “single greatest civilian air disaster suffered by the...
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