Finding the unexpected in the everyday.
In 1983, Guion Bluford became the first African American to fly into space when he went into orbit on board the Space Shuttle Challenger. The first African American astronaut was actually Robert Henry Lawrence Jr. He never had the opportunity to travel into space, however; in 1967 -- just a few months after being selected... Continue Reading →
February 29, 2016 The newly built terminal for an airport in the north-central region of North Dakota first went into service. This airport, which is located two miles (3.2 kilometers) north of the city of Minot, dates back to the 1920s. Originally known as the Port of Minot, its first airstrip was developed on a... Continue Reading →
February 26, 1934 An airport on the northwestern coast of Australia’s island state of Tasmania was opened. This regional airport is adjacent to the town of Wynyard and about 11 miles (17 kilometers) west of the port city of Burnie. Approximately 3,000 people showed up for the Monday afternoon debut of this airport, which was... Continue Reading →
In 2010, La’Shanda R. Holmes Hawkins became the first African American female helicopter pilot in the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). As an officer in that uniformed service, she has amassed more than 2,000 flight hours while helping to carry out search-and-rescue missions; law enforcement operations; and various other duties. Hawkins, who was born in... Continue Reading →
February 2, 1917 Mary Ellis, who would achieve renown for her achievements as a pilot during World War II, was born at Langley Farm in South East England’s village and civil parish of Leafield. As someone who grew up near a couple of Royal Air Force (RAF) bases, she developed a strong interest in aviation... Continue Reading →
January 11, 1938 The first aircraft landing at eastern Canada's recently completed Newfoundland Airport (present-day Gander International Airport) took place when pilot Douglas C. Fraser (1903-1990) flew a single-engine Fox Moth VO-ADE biplane owned by Imperial Airways down onto a runway there. “I can remember it quite well,” Fraser later recalled about that clear winter day. He... Continue Reading →
December 18, 1939 In southeastern Brazil, an airport serving the city serving the city of Montes Claros was officially opened. This airport is specifically located four miles (seven kilometers) northeast of the downtown section of the city. The first airline to operate at the Monte Claros Airport was Panair do Brasil, which existed from 1930... Continue Reading →
In 1980, Linda Garcia Cubero became a member of the first class of women to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA). She made history as well as the first woman of Hispanic descent to graduate from any of the service academies. In a 2009 interview with Latina Style magazine, Linda discussed her own... Continue Reading →
October 9, 1890 French inventor and engineer Clément Ader made aviation history when he attempted to fly a steam-powered aircraft that he had built. This aircraft was named the Éole in honor of Aeolus, the ancient Greek god of the winds, and it featured wings resembling those of a bat. Ader tested his flying machine just... Continue Reading →
For nearly four decades now, Michael P. Huerta has served in a wide range of high-ranking transportation roles. In a 2011 speech at the National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees Annual Training Conference, Huerta addressed not only those professional achievements but also the prejudicial treatment he sometimes encountered early on in life as a... Continue Reading →
Transportation History 