On December 5, 1901, movie producer Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois. From his rural and rather humble beginnings, he became a pioneer of cartoon films, the creator of Mickey Mouse, and the founder of Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Here are five things you didn’t know about Walt Disney.
- 1 tube (16 ounce) refrigerated Grands Buttermilk Biscuits
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 t. garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
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Preheat oven to 375º. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
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Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients.
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Mix with your hands, coating all the pieces.
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Place about 3 biscuit pieces in each muffin cup.There will be 2 leftover, use as you wish.
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Bake for 15 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove from oven and serve warm.
By Presidential Proclamation, December 17th is Wright Brothers Day. Each year, a proclamation invites the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
The US Code directs that Wright Brothers Day commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled airplane. Orville and Wilbur Wright made that first successful flight on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. While other inventors created planes that flew, Orville and Wilbur invented the first mechanically propelled aeroplane. Those inventors that came before them inspired the Wright brothers in many ways, too.
From a young age, Orville Wright and his brother, Wilbur, developed a fascination with flight. Inspired by a rubber band propelled helicopter created by the inventor, Alphonse Penaud, the brothers dedicated their lives to the invention. They first found success manufacturing bicycles, including the Van Cleve and St. Clair.
They never lost interest in flight and continued to develop designs. By 1902, the future aviators were making progress with their gliders and nearing a successful mechanical flight. They sold their bicycle business, and on December 17, 1903, achieved their goal.Orville Wright ( August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948 )
Orville Wright made the first flight for 12 seconds and 120 feet around the Wright Brothers National Memorial site, just south of Kitty Hawk on that date. While the Wright Brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, they are recognized as the first to invent aircraft controls that made the fixed-wing flight possible.
Wilbur Wright ( April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912 )
More in Flight
Wright Brothers Day also recognizes other accomplishments in aviation history. Many exciting accomplishments, adventure, and daring heroism take place in aviation. In fact, numerous museums and landmarks around the world will walk you through aviation’s impressive timeline. From the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Ohio to March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California, and the Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., nearly every state in the U.S. fills the imagination with original and replica planes of the pioneers of flight. Even the early frontier of space flight makes the schedule for aviation enthusiasts! Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center will not disappoint.
Of course, local libraries answer the call with shelves lined with books about every era of aviation. NASA also offers free e-books.
Interesting Aviation Facts
- The wingspan of the 747 is 120 feet, which is longer than the original Wright Brothers flight.
- Food tastes different under cabin pressure in an airplane.
- In the United States, over 6,000 passengers are flying at any given moment.
- For every hour spent flying, you can lose about two cups of water from your body. If you’re traveling cross-country, keep yourself hydrated.
- The President and Vice President of the United States never fly together, nor do they fly with the House of Representatives’ Speaker. Prince Charles never flies with Prince William. Just in case…
Legendary Aviators
- AMELIA EARHART – Female aviation pioneer
- BESSIE COLEMAN – First female aviator of both African American and Native American descent
- CHARLES LINDBERGH – first solo trans-Atlantic flight.
- MANFRED VON RICHTHOFEN – WWI flying ace, the celebrated “Red Baron”
- JERRIE MOCK – First woman aviator to successfully circumnavigate the globe solo
- HOWARD HUGHES – Aviator, tycoon, movie maker, and all-around eccentric
- CHUCK YEAGER – The test pilot who broke the sound barrier
- YURI GAGARIN – First man in space