First in Flight: Celebrating the Wright Brothers Amid the Holiday Travel Rush

The Wright Brothers and their flying machine - National Day Calendar

December 17th marks Wright Brothers Day, commemorating the moment in 1903 when Wilbur and Orville Wright took flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. More than a century later, on that same date in 2025, travelers fill airports nationwide, flying home for the holidays thanks to the breakthrough that began on the North Carolina coast.

Although the Wright Brothers were from Ohio, they traveled to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, for the ideal flying conditions. There, they prepared the Wright Flyer, a heavier-than-air aircraft that would become the first machine to achieve powered, controlled, and sustained flight. On that day, the Wright Brothers made history in only 12 seconds.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport Departure Sign

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

It's only fitting that December is one of the busiest travel months of the year, as it coincides with Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations. Terminals fill with families reuniting, travelers clutching carry-ons, and departures stretching from Key West, Florida, to New York City. Whether it's a long distance across the country or just a short flight back home, the way we travel today can be traced back to just 12 seconds in 1903.  Those 12 seconds proved that human flight was possible.

For those staying grounded this holiday season, you're likely traveling from one celebration to another by car. Every North Carolina license plate you pass tells a story. That "First in Flight" slogan is a reminder that the story of aviation began on our coast.

Wright Brothers Day, paired with peak holiday travel season, highlights just how relevant that legacy remains. If you are traveling by car or plane, remember that travel today would not have been possible without those 12 seconds on December 17th, 1903.

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