The holiday was established in 1939 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who issued a presidential proclamation which designated the anniversary of Orville Wright's birthday to be National Aviation Day (Mr. Wright, born in 1871, was still alive when the proclamation was first issued, and would live another nine years). The proclamation was codified (USC 36:I:A:1:118), and it allows the sitting US President to proclaim August 19 as National Aviation Day each year, if desired. Their proclamation may direct all federal buildings and installations to fly the US Flag that day, and may encourage citizens to observe the day with activities that promote interest in aviation.[1]
The Chicago Air and Water show will host a NASA village in 2018.[4] The NASA village, active for August 17 to 19, 2018 also celebrates the 60th anniversary of NASA and includes information about projects like the Space Launch System, a large rocket under development in the 2010s.[5] As part of the National Aviation Day festivities at the North beach location, NASA will open its Journey to Tomorrow traveling exhibit.[6][7]
(federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies
