Wrong Way Corrigan Day in U.S. 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

One pilot and his legendary voyage can inspire millions, and this is precisely what Wrong Way Corrigan Day commemorates each year on July 17. This day commemorates stunt aviator Douglas Corrigan’s unauthorised flight from New York to Ireland across the Atlantic Ocean. His nickname, ‘incorrect Way’ Corrigan, comes from his infamous claim that he took the incorrect route.

The background of Wrong Way Corrigan Day

Clyde Groce Corrigan was born to a construction engineer father and a teacher mother who divorced when he was young. The family settled in Los Angeles, and Corrigan subsequently dropped out of high school to pursue a career in construction.
His fascination with aircraft began in the early 20th century. In 1925, he witnessed people paying for brief sightseeing flights in a Curtiss JN-4 ‘Jenny’ biplane in a field near his home. Obviously, the then-18-year-old had to ascend as well. He paid $2.50 for his ride and was in the air for ten minutes. A week later, he was taking flying lessons and observing and learning from local aircraft mechanics during his other free time. Shortly thereafter, in 1926, he also initiated solo flights.

Charles Lindbergh was Corrigan’s hero, and he was inspired by his hero’s transatlantic flight to petition authorities for his own transatlantic voyage. He asked the Bureau of Air Commerce for permission to fly from New York to Ireland, but was denied. However, Corrigan was resolute. A few years after the denial of his flight plan, he flew nonstop from Long Beach, California to Brooklyn, New York. In lieu of returning to California, he desired to replicate Charles Lindbergh’s flight to Ireland. The authorities remained unconvinced, however, as they believed his 1929 Curtiss Robin aircraft, which he rebuilt and modified, would not survive the journey. Once again, he was denied permission for this excursion. Corrigan reportedly informed officials on July 17, 1938 that he was returning to California. As he later explained, the cloud cover prevented him from navigating precisely, and when the clouds eventually parted, he was over water. Dublin, Ireland was reached 28 hours after he continued his journey with the intention of landing. He famously announced, “Just arrived from New York. Where I am?

This incident and his subsequent notoriety garnered him the nickname ‘Wrong Way’. As a skilled mechanic whose ambition was to fly, many consider his ‘navigational error’ intentional. His pilot’s licence was suspended for fourteen days despite his refusal to recant his account. His return to New York via ship was met with an enormous celebration.

Only months after his flight, Corrigan wrote his own account of it in an autobiography, remaining true to his story. In 1939, he signed a movie contract and starred in “The Flying Irishman” as himself. This film earned him $75,000, which is equivalent to 30 years of income from his airfield employment.

During World War II, he evaluated bombers and flew for the Air Transport Command’s Ferry Command division. After the war concluded, he toured the country with other war heroes in parades.
Corrigan eventually settled down with his wife and children, retiring from the aviation industry and purchasing an 18-acre (7.3 ha) citrus grove in Santa Ana, California. While he admitted to having no knowledge of orange cultivation, he claimed to have learnt by observing his neighbours. On the 49th anniversary of his flight, when Corrigan was eighty years old, he was honoured with a motorcade on Long Island, which was dubbed Wrong Way Corrigan Day. A few years later, his hometown also began commemorating this day, until it became the national holiday it is today.

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WRONG WAY CORRIGAN DAY ACTIVITIES

Explore the historical development of transatlantic flights

Early aviation enthusiasts paved the way and made a reputation for themselves by completing extraordinary nonstop flights over extremely long distances. Their transatlantic success is, to say the least, astounding. Consider aviators such as Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, and Douglas Corcoran. Additionally, read about their flights and accomplishments, as well as what their stories inspired.

Watch the film by Douglas Corrigan.

If you are able to obtain a copy of “The Flying Irishman,” organise a family movie night. Observe as Douglas Corrigan immortalises his flight on film and marvel at his audacity.

Visit an air museum

Explore nearby air museums and make plans for a fast visit. Explore their aviation-themed accommodations. Multiple museums offer virtual excursions of the air and space. You can view their incredible 3D models of flight, enter some of the most famous aircraft in history, and access educational resources from anywhere.

5 FUN FACTS ABOUT DOUGLAS CORRIGAN

He appeared as a contestant on an episode of “To Tell the Truth” in 1957, and he endorsed “wrong-way” products such as a watch that ticked reverse.

Corrigan stood for the U.S. Senate in 1946, but as a member of the Prohibition Party, he received only 2% of the vote.

Corrigan carried two chocolate bars, two cartons of fig bars, a quart of water, and a map of the United States indicating the route from New York to Long Island, California.

When Charles Lindbergh received a copy of Corrigan’s autobiography, he wrote him a four-page handwritten letter.

In the 1938 short “Flat Foot Stooges” by “The Three Stooges,” Curly exclaims, “Hey, we’re doing a Corrigan!” when they realised they were going in the incorrect direction.

WRONG WAY CORRIGAN DAY DATES