Airports In 1775: Were They A Thing?

In a 2019 Independence Day speech, former US President Donald Trump claimed that the Continental Army took over the airports during the American Revolutionary War in the 1770s. This statement was met with ridicule, as many people were quick to point out that airports and military airplanes were not invented until the 20th century, with the first powered flight officially taking place in 1903. Trump later attributed the mistake to a malfunctioning teleprompter.

Airports didn't exist in 1775

In a 2019 Independence Day speech, President Trump made a historical blunder when he said that the Continental Army "took over the airports" from the British during the American Revolutionary War in the 1770s. Trump's exact words were:

> "Our army manned the air, it rammed the ramparts, it took over the airports, it did everything it had to do, and at Fort McHenry, under the rockets' red glare, it had nothing but victory."

Trump later attributed the mistake to a malfunctioning teleprompter.

The internet had a field day with the comment, with Twitter users writing comical parodies in the form of letters written by Revolutionary War soldiers about their airport woes. Some of the hashtags that trended were #RevolutionaryWarAirports and #RevolutionaryWarAirportStories.

Trump's historical error

In a 2019 Independence Day speech, then-President Trump made a historical error when he claimed that the Continental Army "took over the airports" during the Revolutionary War in 1775. This statement was incorrect, as airports did not exist in 1775—the first powered flight of an airplane took place in 1903, and the first airport is believed to have been founded in 1909.

Trump's exact words were:

> "Our army manned the [unclear]. It rammed the ramparts, it took over the airports. It did everything it had to do. And at Fort McHenry, under the rockets’ red glare, it had nothing but victory. And when dawn came, their star-spangled banner waved defiant."

This statement was part of a longer tribute to the soldiers who fought for independence from the British during the Revolutionary War. Trump's reference to "airports" was likely a misreading of his teleprompter, as he later claimed that the device had malfunctioned due to rain.

This error was widely mocked on Twitter, with users creating hashtags such as #RevolutionaryWarAirports and #RevolutionaryWarAirportStories to write comical parodies in the form of letters and stories from Revolutionary War soldiers about their fictional airport experiences.

In addition to this error, Trump also made a second historical mistake in the same speech by mixing up the War of 1812 with the War of Independence. He referenced the Battle of Fort McHenry and "rockets' red glare," which took place during the War of 1812, not the Revolutionary War.

This was not the first time Trump had made history-related errors during his time in office. In 2017, he claimed that Andrew Jackson, who died 16 years before the Civil War started, could have prevented it. And in 2018, he asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, "Didn't you guys burn down the White House?"—confusing Canada with Britain, whose troops actually burned the White House during the War of 1812.

The first airport

In 1775, there were no airports in existence. The first airport is believed to be College Park Airport in Maryland, USA, founded in 1909.

The notion that airports existed in 1775 is a common misconception, often attributed to a historical error made by former US President Donald Trump during his "Salute to America" Independence Day speech in 2019. In his address, Trump stated that the Continental Army "took over the airports" during the American Revolutionary War in the 1770s. This statement was met with amusement and ridicule on social media, with many creating memes and humorous tweets under hashtags such as #RevolutionaryWarAirports and #RevolutionaryWarAirportStories.

Trump's error was particularly notable given that he praised the Wright brothers earlier in his speech. The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, are credited with achieving the first powered flight of an airplane in 1903, over a century after the Revolutionary War. It is worth noting that Trump addressed his mistake by blaming it on a malfunctioning teleprompter affected by the rainy weather during his speech.

While the first airport, College Park Airport, was established in 1909, it is important to recognize that the development of airports as we know them today was a gradual process spanning several decades. The early years of aviation involved experimentation, innovation, and the gradual establishment of infrastructure to support air travel.

Air travel in the US

The first powered flight of an airplane was achieved by the Wright brothers in 1903, and the first airport in the US is believed to be College Park Airport in Maryland, founded in 1909. Since then, air travel has become an integral part of American life, with airports of all sizes dotting the country.

Commercial air travel in the US has a rich history, with pioneering airlines such as Pan American World Airways and Trans World Airlines shaping the industry. Today, major US airlines like Delta, American, and United dominate the market, offering a wide range of domestic and international destinations.

US airports have also evolved significantly over the years, with modern terminals, advanced security measures, and improved passenger amenities. Airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago are among the busiest in the world, handling millions of passengers each year.

The US aviation industry also plays a crucial role in the global aerospace sector, with American companies like Boeing and Airbus leading the way in aircraft manufacturing and innovation. Military aviation has also come a long way since the early days of flight, with the US Air Force and other branches operating advanced aircraft for defence and security.

While air travel in the US has faced challenges, including economic downturns, security threats, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to be a vital mode of transportation for passengers and cargo alike, connecting people and businesses across the country and the world.

The Wright Brothers

In 1775, there were no airports. However, the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, would go on to pioneer aviation and make the first successful airplane flight in 1903.

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