1830: Charles Durant, America's 1st great balloonist, makes his 1st U.S. ascent at Castle Garden, New York. He stays in the air for two hours, landing at South Amboy, New Jersey. His skill and enthusiasm inspire a passion for ballooning in America.

1911: The 1st mail carried by air in the United Kingdom is delivered. The mail contains messages for King George V and other members of the British royal family.

1944: The sole completed McDonnell XP-67 Bat prototype is destroyed by an engine fire, prompting USAAF leaders to declare the aircraft redundant and cancel the program a week later.

1966: The Concorde's Rolls-Royce Olympus engine begins flight tests underneath an Avro Vulcan bomber.

1980: Island Air, a Hawaiian airline, started operations.

1999: Afriqiyah Airways formed.