On the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled, powered airplane flight — 12 seconds, 120 feet. Two bicycle mechanics from Ohio had solved a problem that had defeated humanity for all of history. Within 66 years, Americans would fly to the Moon.
Common Questions
What happened on December 17 in American history?
In 1903: the Wright brothers fly. On the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled, powered airplane flight — 12 seconds, 120 feet.
Why is December 17 significant?
On the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first controlled, powered airplane flight — 12 seconds, 120 feet. Two bicycle mechanics from Ohio had solved a problem that had defeated humanity for all of history. Within 66 years, Americans would fly to the Moon.
The Daily Poll · Weigh In
Where do big breakthroughs usually come from?
Opinion, not a quiz — no wrong answer.
★ Forge Your Freedom
Get One of These Every Day
The FreedomMaxxing Daily Brief pairs a history moment like this with what's on your radar today and a live patriot poll — free, 60 seconds.