1916: The US Army Balloon School is established in Fort Omaha, Nebraska.

1928: Australian George Wilkins and Lieutenant Carl Eielson make the first flight over Antarctica. They use a Lockheed Vega for the 10-hour flight.

1934: A KLM DC-2 registered PH-AJU crashes into the desert during a flight from Amsterdam Netherlands to Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 7 on-board.

1952: A United States Air Force C-124 Globemaster crashes on takeoff from Larson Air Force base in Moses Lake, Washington, killing 91 of the 118 on-board.

1954: The Convair YF-102A Delta Dagger makes its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base.

1957: First Flight of the Boeing 707.

1970: With pre-tax losses of $US 130 million, the year ends as the worst ever for US airlines.

1983: Ozark Air Lines Flight 650, a DC-9-31 registered N994Z, crashes at Sioux Fall Regional Airport on landing after striking a snow plow on the runway. The only fatality was that of the plow driver, and the aircraft later returned to service.

1989: An SR-71 made a final pass down the Burbank runway to honor all those who workedin designing and producing the fastest air-breathing aircraft in the world. Kelly Johnson, long retired, andgravely ill, was there to watch.

1992: Northwest and KLM introduce a new joint logo: “Worldwide Reliability”

1995: American Airlines Flight 965, a Boeing 757, crashed on approach to Calí, Colombia, due to pilot error. Of the 159 passengers and crew aboard, four passengers survived.

2008: Continental Airlines Flight 1404, a 737-524 (N18611), crashes after an aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport. It is suspected that a 37mph gust of crosswind and a patch of ice caused the aircraft to veer to the left just as it was about to become airborne. It vacated the runway and came to rest down a hill, making it almost difficult for firefighters to find. All on-board escaped before fire consumed the aircraft.