National Ride The Wind Day is a holiday that falls on August 23rd and is a day that commemorates the anniversary of the first human-powered flight to win the Kremer prize. It’s a day on which people are encouraged to literally and figuratively ride the wind. So even if you’re not all that keen on celebrating this day with a flight, you can still celebrate by taking on a carefree attitude and allowing the wind to blow you whichever way it might. 

The History Of National Ride The Wind Day

Although we’re unsure who invented National Ride The Wind Day or when it was invented, we do know that it’s designed to commemorate the anniversary of the first flight that was powered by humans to be awarded the Kremer prize. It happened on August 23, 1977, when the MacCready Gossamer Condor was the first human-powered aircraft that was capable of a sustained and controlled flight. 

History Of The Kremer Prize

The Kremer prizes were established in 1959 by industrialist Henry Kremer to give to pioneers of human-powered flight. The first Kremer Prize to be awarded was the one received on this date by the Gossamer Condor in 1977. The second prize was awarded on June 12, 1979, by Paul MacCready again, for his Gossamer Albatross flight from England to France. 

Facts About The Gossamer Condor

Want to learn a little bit more about the winner of the Kremer prize in 1977? If you do, then we’ve assembled some facts for you about this aircraft and listed them below. 

• Length: 30-feet
• Wingspan: 96-feet
• Height: 18-feet
• Empty Weight: 70-pounds
• Powered By: Human-Powered
• First Flight: August 23, 1977
• Designed By: Paul MacCready of AeroVironment

Observing National Ride The Wind Day

As we briefly mentioned in our intro to this holiday, National Ride The Wind Day can be observed by taking a flight somewhere, or if you don’t want to fly, by taking a trip somewhere you ordinarily wouldn’t go. You can also learn more about the Gossamer Condor or the Kremer Prize. While you’re observing this holiday, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalRideTheWindDay to let everyone know that they should be observing this holiday as well.