This Day in Aerospace

From the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum comes a curated year-long journey through 365 historic aerospace and aviation milestones, each tied to a day of the year. From world-changing innovations and inventions to record-breaking stunts and mind-blowing space discoveries, This Day in Aerospace History celebrates a landmark event in air and space history for every day of the year. Each date features historical events and fun facts curated by National Air and Space Museum experts, set alongside photographs of artifacts and images from the Museum’s archives. From January through December, readers will learn new facts about beloved events and figures in aerospace history, as well as discover little-known and surprising inventions and occurrences. Examples include the first robotic helicopter flight on Mars (April 19, 2021), the receipt of a pilot’s license by pathbreaking African American barnstormer Bessie Coleman (June 15, 1921), and the historic opening of the National Air and Space Museum itself (July 4, 1976). This captivating book is a tribute to the groundbreaking, the daring, and the awe-inspiring moments that have defined our journey through air and space—one remarkable day at a time.