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Category: #blackhistory

Thursday, Jan 26, 2023

(Almost) the First Black Astronaut

In 1958, the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) chose the first astronaut recruits from among U.S. military test pilots. President John F. Kennedy wanted one of those recruits to be a black male pilot. Enter test pilot Edward “Ed” J. Dwight Jr., who became the first black candidate to compete for the astronaut corps in 1962. The U.S. Air Force captain arrived with two-thousand logged miles and impressive credentials. Many supported Ed, including the preside... Read More
at Thursday, Jan 26, 2023
#blackhistory Black History Month Black Wings Exhibit

Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022

Stitching Up Romance at the Tuskegee Institute

When America entered World War II (1939-1945) in 1941, the U.S. Army Air Corps (today’s U.S. Air Force) remained segregated. But the need for skilled pilots drove a wise decision that resulted in the Tuskegee Airmen: Black pilots who risked their lives for their country and helped crumble armed forces racial segregation. These pilots answered the recruitment call and trained at the new air base at Tuskegee, Alabama. They flew with the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group in... Read More
Posted by Nikki Statler at Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022
#blackhistory Black History Month exhibits Romance Tuskegee Valentines

Monday, Feb 1, 2021

Honoring Black History Month at the Air Zoo - Willa Brown

Willa Brown   Willa Beatrice Brown (1906-1992) made history two years in a row as the first black woman in America to earn a pilot’s license in 1938, immediately followed by a commercial flight license in 1939. She also made history when she became the first black woman commissioned as a U.S. Civil Air Patrol lieutenant in Illinois. Her ambitions also led Willa to run for office, which made her the first black woman to run for United States Congress.&... Read More
at Monday, Feb 1, 2021
#blackhistory BHM Black History Month WAS Willa Brown Women in Air and Space

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  • Trip Advisor Review Real reviews from Trip Advisor reviewers.

    Great place! Very interesting educational and informational! Great place to take the whole family as there is something for young children up to adults!

    blackeyedsusan2018
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  • Trip Advisor Review Real reviews from Trip Advisor reviewers.

    We took our grown daughters and young grandsons to the Air Zoo. It was very entertaining for all of us. There is so much to see and do. Rides for the whole family!

    Rick C
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