National Aviation Day
It’s not just a “Hallmark holiday” – it’s an official designation in the United States code! The actual wording invites “the people of the United States to observe National Aviation Day with appropriate exercises to further stimulate interest in aviation in the United States.”
Why August 19? It’s Orville Wright’s birthday (1871). After inventing, building, and flying the world’s first successful airplane with his brother Wilbur in 1903, Orville was alive at the time of the first celebrations.
Did you know? The first National Aviation Day was actually proclaimed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on May 28, 1937. It was a singular day, with no continuation in 1938. Congress then passed a joint resolution in 1939, which was signed by the president, and established a perpetual commemoration that continues today!
Oklahoma Aviation & Aerospace Day
Officially established in 2017 by Oklahoma Senate Bill 47 and first celebrated in 2018, the celebration mirror’s the national day and highlight’s our state’s aviation heritage and workforce.
Why it matters: Aviation Aerospace is the second largest and fastest growing industry in the state of Oklahoma, generating approximately $44 billion in annual economic impact (we’ll have more to share about that soon!), the success of which is built on an incredible legacy of remarkable Oklahomans.
Did you know? Oklahoma has 132 public-use airports, including four commercial airports (OKC, TUL, SWO, LAW), and 94% of the state’s population live within 30 minutes of a jet capable airport — meaning a runway of at least 5,000 feet. Also, Oklahoma leads the nation in high school aviation programs, ranking #1 for four years running!
World Photography Day
All around the globe, the art, science, and history of photography is celebrated on this day, along with its impact on how we see the world around us.
Why August 19? Louis Daguerre was a French artist and photographer who developed a photographic process called the daguerreotype. On August 19, 1839, the French government officially announced his invention along with detailed instructions — for free. This process was the first time the public had the ability to capture and preserve images, drastically changing the way that visual stories were documented compared to slower methods like painting.
Did you know? The earliest authenticated photograph of Abraham Lincoln was a daguerreotype, created in 1846 when he was a Congressman-elect. The first photograph known to capture a person was made by Louis Daguerre himself in 1837-8 and is titled Boulevard du Temple.
As professional aviation photographers in Oklahoma, August 19 is the perfect celebration of our specialties!
Thank you TUL! We were recently invited to a special planespotting event at Tulsa International Airport in celebration of National Aviation Day. We had the best time hanging out with other people who happen to love airplanes and cameras, and who are either professional photographers, media, or have a social media presence related to aviation. We loved that there were several high school students in the group who all plan to pursue different careers in aviation! The incredible team at TUL spoiled us with a delicious breakfast, t-shirts, goodie bags, and a drone demonstration by airport ops — all with a great vantage point of the main runway from the fire station, complete with shade, seating, and more snacks. We spent the morning photographing airplanes, geeking out about camera specs and techniques, and just enjoying a great environment and atmosphere.
Thank you again to the great folks at Tulsa International Airport, who are committed to providing creative, interactive opportunities for the community to learn more about aviation and have access to our local airport. You’re the best!
In 2024 Narrative Structure launched a new photo series in cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics that showcases women in their daily roles in aviation careers. Annual updates to this ongoing photography collection will be released each December in celebration of Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day, officially marked on the state calendar as December 9 — the first state in the nation to adopt such a recognition. The date was picked in honor of famous Oklahoma female aviator Eula “Pearl” Carter Scott’s birthday. Pearl was born in 1915 in Marlow, OK and became the youngest pilot in the United States with her first solo flight on September 12, 1929 at the age of 14.
Thank you to the following organizations for allowing us access to capture and share these stories!
Clinton Regional Airport (Airport Manager; Owner, Great Planes Interiors), Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology (President, Dean of Academic Affairs & Operations, A&P Student and Instructor), Tulsa International Airport (Police, Cybersecurity, Dispatch, Environmental Safety Control), and United States Aviation (Corporate Flight Attendant)
