Did you know that today is National Wright Brothers Day? Yep. That’s right — December 17 is a day to commemorate + celebrate the first successful flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright, almost 100 years ago.

Orville Wright was born in 1871, in Dayton, OH. His brother, Wilbur was born in 1867 near Millville, IN. Their fascination with flight began at an early age and they easily decided to dedicate their lives to invention. Even before they started experimenting with flight, they would fix and sell their own bicycles.

However, in 1903, they sold their bike shop to focus on building planes. Good thing, huh — because that same year, the Wright Brothers made their first successful flight near Kitty Hawk for a total of 59 seconds + over a distance of 852 feet. And while other inventors had already created planes that flew, Orville and Wilbur invented the first heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane.

Shortly after this extraordinary achievement, the brothers moved to Europe, where they hoped to gain money and fame. Well, they sure did. The Wright brothers found great success in France, quickly becoming national celebrities. Money was not a problem either as they filled contracts for airplanes both in Europe and the United States. Even until their dying day, Orville + Wilbur maintained a close relationship and shared credit for their innovations.

You can find a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer at the N.C. Museum of History right here in Raleigh. The aircraft is suspended above the main lobby at a height of 12 feet, the same height of the Wright brothers’ first flight.