COMMEMORATE
THE CENTENNIAL
Did you know that the first flight around the world started and ended at Seattle's Sand Point?
It was 1924 and a race between nations had begun to secure the prestige of being first to circumnavigate the world by air. Eight American Army Air Service fliers in four airplanes designed by Donald Douglas with Boeing-made pontoons, took off from Sand Point Airfield (now NOAA/Magnuson Park) on the journey.
Many said that the journey could not be done and indeed, only two Douglas Cruiser planes made it the full way around.
And on September 28, 1924 after a 175-day journey, the Douglas World Cruisers touched down, completing the historic first around-the-world flight. Over 50,000 Seattleites gathered for the landing to catch a glimpse of the famous fliers.
Friends of Magnuson Park is proud to offer exhibits, presentations and educational materials to encourage commemoration of the 1924 First World Flight in 2024.
