Garnerin Makes the First Parachute Jump
Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute jump on October 22, 1797, from a balloon over Paris. He landed safely.
Henri Giffard Flies the First Powered Airship
On September 24, 1852, Henri Giffard flew the first powered airship, 27 kilometres from Paris to Trappes.
The Wright Brothers Fly 24 Miles
On October 5, 1905, Wilbur Wright flew 24 miles in 39 minutes, a record that stood until 1908.
Santos-Dumont Makes a Powered Flight
Alberto Santos-Dumont made the first officially witnessed flight in Europe on October 23, 1906, in his 14-bis aircraft.
KLM Is Founded, the Oldest Airline Still Flying Under Its Own Name
KLM was founded in The Hague on October 7, 1919, and remains the oldest airline in the world flying under its original name.
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress Makes Its First Flight
On September 21, 1942, the first B-29 Superfortress flew from Seattle, the largest and most advanced bomber of the Second World War.
NASA Begins Operating
On October 1, 1958, NASA began operating in the United States, replacing the NACA after the Sputnik launches.
Swissair Flight 111 Crashes off Nova Scotia
On September 2, 1998, Swissair Flight 111 crashed into the Atlantic off Nova Scotia, killing all 229 aboard after an in-flight fire.
The September 11 Attacks on the United States
On September 11, 2001, hijackers flew four planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people.