Kill Devil Hills in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Flights: December 17th, 1903

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2017

1. First Flights: December 17th, 1903 Marker

Inscription.
On this cold and windy morning, the Wrights achieved the world’s first controlled flights. Here, they realized not only their own dream—but also one of humanity’s oldest dreams—to fly!

The boulder and numbered markers on the field in front of you mark the takeoff and landing spots of those four flights.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is December 17, 1903.

Location. 36° 1.188′ N, 75° 40.114′ W. Marker is in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, in Dare County. It can be reached from Wright Memorial west of North Croatan Highway (U.S. 158), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located within the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park, overlooking the site of Orville & Wilber's first successful powered flight. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kill Devil Hills NC 27948, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Commemoration (here, next to this marker); Home Away From Home (a few steps from this marker); The Camp (a few steps from this marker); The First Successful Flight of an Airplane (a few steps from this marker); Getting Off the Ground

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(a few steps from this marker); Kill Devil Hills (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); End of First Flight (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kill Devil Hills.

Also see . . .
1. The Wright Brothers - First Flight, 1903. On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright piloted the first powered airplane 20 feet above a wind-swept beach in North Carolina. The flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. Three more flights were made that day with Orville's brother Wilbur piloting the record flight lasting 59 seconds over a distance of 852 feet. (Submitted on February 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. December 17, 1903. The flyer moved down the rail as Wilbur steadied the wings. Just as Orville left the ground, John Daniels from the lifesaving station snapped the shutter on a preset camera, capturing the historic image of the airborne aircraft with Wilbur running alongside. Again, the flyer was unruly, pitching up and down as Orville overcompensated with the controls. But he kept it aloft until it hit the sand about 120 feet

The first flight: Wilbur watches as Orville takes flight image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2017

2. The first flight: Wilbur watches as Orville takes flight

ThoughtCo. website entry:
Click for more information.

from the rail. Into the 27-mph wind, the groundspeed had been 6.8 mph, for a total airspeed of 34 mph. The brothers took turns flying three more times that day, getting a feel for the controls and increasing their distance with each flight. Wilbur's second flight - the fourth and last of the day – was an impressive 852 feet in 59 seconds. (Submitted on February 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

First Flights: December 17th, 1903 Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2017

3. First Flights: December 17th, 1903 Marker (wide view)

Path of First Flights (<i>view of path & related markers from this marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2017

4. Path of First Flights (view of path & related markers from this marker)

Trail along path of first flights, with related markers (<i>near this marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 19, 2017

5. Trail along path of first flights, with related markers (near this marker)

Overhead view First Flights: December 17th, 1903 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 21, 2023

6. Overhead view First Flights: December 17th, 1903 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 779 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on June 16, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.