Wright Brothers National Memorial
Kill Devil Hills, Dare County, North Carolina
Marker Inscription
On December 17, 1903, near here, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered, controlled, sustained airplane flights in history.
Erected by National Park Service
The Story
On the windy dunes of Kill Devil Hills, the Wright Flyer lifted off for 12 seconds and 120 feet — the first of four flights that day. The brothers had solved the problem of controlled flight.
Why it matters
Powered flight began here, launching the aviation age that transformed travel, war, and the 20th century.
Related people
- · Orville Wright
- · Wilbur Wright
Related events
- · First powered flight
Themes & tags
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