National Aviation Hall of Fame facts for kids

The official logo of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) is a special place that celebrates amazing people in aviation and space. It's like a museum, but it also holds an awards ceremony every year. It helps teach and inspire young people to become future leaders in air and space. The NAHF started in 1962 in Dayton, Ohio. Dayton is famous because the Wright brothers, who invented the airplane, were from there. In 2017, the yearly awards ceremony started moving to different cities, like Fort Worth, Texas.

Discovering the National Aviation Hall of Fame

How the Hall of Fame Started

The National Aviation Hall of Fame officially became a national organization on July 14, 1964. The U.S. Congress passed a law, and President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it. This means the Hall of Fame is a public foundation. It reports to Congress every year. Most of its support comes from people and groups who donate money. These donations help the Hall of Fame continue its important work.

What the Hall of Fame Does

The main goal of the NAHF is to "honor aerospace legends to inspire future leaders." This means they celebrate the brave and smart men and women who have achieved great things in aviation and space. They want to show how much hard work, vision, and courage these people had. This way, they hope to inspire kids like you to dream big.

The "Oscar Night of Aviation"

Since 1962, a big event happens every year. It's called the induction ceremony. During this event, four or five new people are added to the Hall of Fame. Experts from all over the country carefully choose these people. They look for those who have made huge impacts in aviation and space. This special ceremony is often called "The Oscar Night of Aviation." It also happens alongside a program called Wings of Women (WOW). This program helps mentor young women interested in aviation.

Visiting the Hall of Fame Museum

The National Aviation Hall of Fame is located right next to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The museum shows many different parts of flight. This includes military planes, commercial airplanes, and even space travel. It is open all year, except for some holidays.

Honoring Aviation Heroes: The Enshrinees

The Hall of Fame has honored many incredible people. They are listed below in alphabetical order. The year they were inducted into the Hall of Fame is shown in parentheses.

See also

• North American aviation halls of fame
• Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
• Living Legends of Aviation