Aleutian Islands Campaign
One June 3, 1942, Japanese forces kicked of the 14-month Aleutian Islands Campaign. The campaign’s two Japanese invasions were the only ones on US soil during the war.
Aviation
First Commissioned Female Airmail Pilot
On May 23, 1918, Katherine Stinson became the first woman hired by the post office to deliver airmail in the US. She had several other notable firsts and records in her short flying career.
First Successful Seaplane Flight
On March 28, 1910, Henri Fabre made the first successful powered seaplane flight. Traveling over 1,900 feet and wowing a crowd of spectators, he inaugurated the seaplane and flying boat industry that would flourish for the next several decades.
The Lafayette Escadrille
On March 21, 1916, a group of mostly American pilots formed the Escadrille Américaine. Later named the Lafayette Escadrille, they flew several high-profile missions that encouraged more Americans to join their ranks.
Happy Birthday, Alfred “Chief” Anderson
Happy Birthday to Alfred “Chief” Anderson. Called the Father of Black Aviation, he was a trailblazer who set many records and trained the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.
First Non-Stop Non-Refueled Flight Around the Globe
On December 23, 1986, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager completed the first non-stop flight around the world without refueling.
Birth of Dr. Theodore von Kármán
Scientist and mathematician Dr. Theodore von Kármán was born on May 11, 1881, in Budapest, Austria-Hungary.
The International Civil Aeronautics Conference
On December 12, 1928, the International Civil Aeronautics Conference opened in Washington, DC.
First Flight Across the English Channel
On July 25, 1909, Louis Blériot became the first person to fly across the English Channel. Born in Cambrai, France, on July 1, 1872, Blériot was the first of five children. At the age of 10, he attended the Institute of Notre Dame in Cambrai, where he often won prizes for his engineering drawings.