Time is moving quickly, folks. It is already December 17. This date doesn’t just mean we’re eight days away from Christmas. December 17 also marks Wright Brothers Day.
Maybe you already knew this. Or maybe you’re learning something new. Either way, it’s pretty cool to think about what happened on this day in 1903.
That’s when Dayton natives Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They flew their plane with aircraft controls that enabled them to steer, thus securing their place in history by successfully building the first airplane.
In the years that followed, aviation advancements were made, but the Wright brother’s efforts paved the way for modern day aeronautics.
Nationally, Wright Brothers Day has been observed since 1963 to honor the brothers.
In the neighborhood
Not far from Ashley’s Pastries, up the street on Harman Avenue, is Hawthorn Hill, the success mansion of Orville and Wilbur Wright.
The sprawling home, with white pillars and twin porches, is as beautiful on the outside as on the inside. Thanks to Carillon Historical Park, you can tour the home on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m – 12:30 p.m. Prepaid admission is required, but it’s certainly worth it to walk the halls of this home.
Not only is Ashley’s Pastries a neighbor of the Wright brothers, but we also have the scoop on their favorite cookie, too. Old Fashioned Coconut Macaroons was the treat of choice for the aviators and it’s something we bake, too. Stop into the bakery to pick one up today. What a fun way to celebrate Wright Brothers Day!
A great city
There are a a lot of things we love about our city, including the way it’s impacted the world. Dayton is home to the airplane, the cash register, the NFL’s inaugural football game and so much more. It’s really neat to see how our great city has impacted so much history and so many lives in such a positive way.