The dynamic rhythm of our lives requires the fastest possible movement from one point in the world to another. Today it is possible by means of modern airplanes, which transport people and cargo at great distances at great speeds. Despite computer-assisted flight control, pilot skill and the crew’s ability to navigate in extreme conditions are still a priority. The work of dispatchers and a large staff of specialists who design and maintain aircraft is also important. These brave people are dedicated to Aviation Day, which is celebrated around the world on December 7th.
history of the holiday
This holiday appeared relatively recently, only in 1992. This happened on the initiative of the International Civil Aviation Organization (or ICAO for short), which deals with coordination and safety issues around the world, setting common standards for all participating countries. She determined the date of Aviation Day, recording this event in resolution No. A29-1.
However, officially the holiday began to be celebrated only two years later, in 1994. This was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the creation of the International Convention on Civil Aviation, which was signed in the American city of Chicago on December 7, 1944. The document enshrined the general principles and rules of flights, determined the behavior of aeronautical vessels on the territory of other states. All this was aimed at improving flight safety.
And, finally, 1996 was an important milestone when International Aviation Day was finally recognized by the United Nations (UN). It was from this time that various festive events began, such as rewarding distinguished employees, various processions, concerts and more, and this, in turn, contributed to the popularity of the holiday.
Important events in the world history of civil aviation
Attempts to conquer the sky have been undertaken since ancient times, which is reflected in the mythical history of Icarus. People tried to take to the air in a variety of ways, which often led to tragic consequences.
However, the beginning of the 20th century, when in 1901 the first aircraft in the world was designed by the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, made a flight, is considered to be the point of the report on the world history of civil aviation. Despite the fact that few believed in the ability to move through the air on an aircraft heavier than air, this postulate was refuted. The airplane managed to hold on to the ground for 12 seconds, subsequent attempts increased the amount of time spent in the sky to 1 minute, during which it covered a distance of 260 meters.
In 1908, the Wright brothers took on flight their friend Charles Farnes, who became the first passenger in the world.
The first airline, which began to engage in the transportation of people, arose in 1914. At first the planes flew for short distances, but the flight time, the number and variety of flights gradually began to increase.
The world's first flight attendant was the American nurse Elin Church. In this capacity, she began to work since 1930. The presence of a young girl on board, and even with a medical degree, reassured passengers. Then, other airlines introduced the position of stewardesses on their aircraft.
First passenger plane
It is believed that this was not produced anywhere, but in our country. The aircraft received its name in honor of the famous epic hero - Ilya Muromets. They designed the aircraft at the Baltic Carriage Works in 1913. And the next year he went on a demonstration flight with 16 people and one dog on board. Subsequently, when his model was improved, the plane set several world records for altitude and flight range.
Civil Aviation Day in Russia
In our country, in addition to international, there is also its own, national holiday, which is unofficially also called "Aeroflot Day". It is considered even more important and popular date than December 7th. And the Russian Civil Aviation Day is celebrated on February 9th.
The history of the development of civil aviation in Russia
Domestic civil aviation arose at the dawn of a new, Soviet system. The year 1923 was significant, when the first airway appeared, connecting Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod. Passenger aircraft covered a distance of 420 km. The next logical step was the creation of an air society, which was called "Dobrolet". A few years later it was renamed to us the usual Aeroflot. And in the same 1923, an event happened that defined February 9 as the day of aviation. It was then that a council was organized to oversee the growing aeronautics industry.
How to congratulate the holiday?
Today on the Internet you can find a huge number of verbal congratulations on the day of civil aviation both in poetic form and in prose, and then you just have to choose from them those that are best suited for a particular person.
If the culprit of the celebration is your family member, then it will be appropriate to organize a certain entourage in the apartment or house, thematically decorating the home. This is easy to do with balls and paper planes by hanging them from the ceiling.
It is advisable to make a festive table in the "flying" style. A great solution would be a cake in the form of an aircraft or some element of pilot paraphernalia. Dishes can also be decorated in the spirit corresponding to the holiday and come up with their names using a professional vocabulary.
Congratulations on the day of aviation, of course, need to be supplemented with an interesting gift.
How to choose a gift
What to present for a professional holiday to a person whose activities and, in fact, life is connected with heaven? This question, for sure, was asked by many. Here are a few gift options from which you can choose the most suitable.
- Thematic. This can be a picture depicting a beautiful airplane against the sky or jigsaw puzzles on the theme of aviation, the collection of which will help to distract from stressful work and relieve stress after the next flight. An interesting airplane model will also be a good gift, especially if the hero of the occasion is collecting them. Books and encyclopedias on relevant topics with a gift cover are also suitable.
- Gifts with aviation symbols. It can be various household items, decorated or made in the appropriate style: men's cufflinks, wall or wrist watches, cigarette case, wine or cognac sets, an original alarm clock with a propeller, backpacks and t-shirts with drawings on them on a flying theme or even a portrait the pilot (stewardess) in official uniform.
- Practical gifts. In the role of such can be suitcases and travel bags, organizers, thermoses and thermo mugs, pillows with a relaxing effect, as well as various sets with the necessary accessories that can be useful in flight. For stewardesses, a certificate to a massage or spa salon, as well as a set of cosmetics that will help preserve the skin in conditions of constant flights and stress, will be a wonderful gift.
- Various souvenirs, for example, in the form of airplanes or globes, it will also be appropriate to give a souvenir for good luck in the form of a horseshoe.
- For a person whose life passes on constant flights, a good gift will be a high-quality camera that will capture those beautiful places and countries in which he is on duty.
- Gifts with humor. You can, for example, give a banal umbrella only by substantiating it as an alternative to a parachute. Or present as a presentation tickets for a train, a sea vessel or even a bus, which will become a means of transportation in European or Russian cities.
Other aviation holidays celebrated in Russia
In addition to world and nationwide aviation days, which unite absolutely everyone who works in this area, there are also more “small” holidays dedicated to specific aeronautics in our country. Here is a list of them.
- December 23 - Long-Range Aviation Day.
- On April 12, Cosmonautics Day is traditionally celebrated, which is especially important for Russia, since it was on this day that the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first in the world to go into open space.
- June 1 is a holiday of military transport aviation.
- July 17 is dedicated to people related to Naval Aviation.
- August 12 - Day of the Air Force of the Russian Federation.
- 3rd Sunday of August - Air Fleet Day.
The international holiday of December 7, like the Russian Civil Aviation Day on February 9, is significant not only for representatives of these professions, but also for all of us, since flights have long become an integral part of human life.