Presidential Documents

80671 

Federal Register 

Vol. 75, No. 245 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8617 of December 17, 2010 

Wright Brothers Day, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

On December 17, 1903, after years of determination and creativity, Orville 

and Wilbur Wright’s wooden aircraft sailed the steady winds of Kitty Hawk, 

North Carolina and conquered the age-old dream of manned flight. That 

day, the two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, could only imagine what we 

now know—that those moments aloft in the North Carolina sky would 

send mankind on a revolutionary journey and modernize transportation. 

On this day, we celebrate their historic accomplishment, the limitless potential they represent, and the vision they spurred for the next generation 

of inventors and entrepreneurs. 

The Wright brothers’ monumental achievement solidified their place in history and earned them status as American and global icons. They moved 

aviation from a curiosity into an indispensable global industry. Self-taught 

and relentless in their years of work and experimentation, these brothers 

were a shining illustration of the limitless capacity of human intellect and 

the resourcefulness of the American entrepreneur. As part of an era of 

great visionaries, Orville and Wilbur Wright helped hasten an age of discovery 

and great technological advancement. Their unyielding pursuit of powered 

flight stands as a proud example for young and curious minds eager to 

transform and advance the world around them. 

Just as the Wright brothers’ breakthrough led to a new industry that forever 

altered our world, a new generation of space pioneers is now following 

in their footsteps and setting our Nation’s sights even higher. Working with 

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Aviation 

Administration, leaders in spaceflight are making great progress in ushering 

in a new commercial space industry that can help boost our economy, 

create new jobs, and take Americans to soaring new heights. 

America’s long history of technological leadership and innovation has been 

the product of learning and ingenuity. To maintain this tradition and propel 

it forward, America must empower the next generation of doers and makers. 

We must ensure our Nation’s students receive the world-class mathematics 

and science education they need to challenge the boundaries of human 

knowledge and realize tomorrow what we can only dream today. We must 

also ready our children to become the entrepreneurs whose tenacity and 

creativity will power the engine of our Nation’s economy for centuries 

to come. On Wright Brothers Day, in remembrance of that celebrated flight, 

let us recommit to preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, 

inventors, and entrepreneurs to create a future of promise and progress. 

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963, as amended 

(77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year 

as ‘‘Wright Brothers Day’’ and has authorized and requested the President 

to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States 

to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2010, as Wright Brothers 

Day. 


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80672 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 245 / Wednesday, December 22, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth 

day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyfifth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–32402 

Filed 12–21–10; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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