Today in History: Wright Brothers’ First Flight
Today in History–December 17–the Library of Congress features the first flights of the Wright brothers, flown on this day in 1903. Orville piloted the first flight that lasted 12 seconds and 120 feet and Wilbur piloted the fourth and final flight, remaining airborne for 59 seconds and traveling 852 feet. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access a plethora of Wright and other early flight resources.
Wilbur and Orville Wright’s First Flight from America’s Library
The Inventive Wright Brothers primary source set (includes teacher’s guide)
Dream of Flight online exhibition
The Wilbur and Orville Wright Papers
- Collection Highlights
- Wilbur and Orville Wright Timeline
- Photography and the Wright Brothers
- “The Belief that Flight is Possible to Man”
Wright Brothers (selected newspaper articles 1903-1905)
More historical newspaper coverage: Wright flight July 16, 2015
Teaching with the Library of Congress blog posts
- Flight is Possible July 16, 2015
- Selecting Primary Sources for the Classroom: Considering Moment of Use March 2, 2016
With Wings as Eagles: From Fantasy to Flight (primary source sets documenting the history of flight)