City of Chicago announced the designation of May 8 as “Midway Day,” a new annual observance recognizing the moment Chicago first entered the age of aviation. The date commemorates May 8, 1926, when Chicago Municipal Airport — now Midway International Airport — opened and signaled the city’s arrival in a new era of connection and commerce. In a symbolic moment that day, four carrier pigeons were released carrying a message to Washington, D.C., announcing the opening of the airport and marking a transition from one of the oldest forms of airborne communication to the dawn of modern flight. While May 8, 1926, represents Chicago’s first moment of flight, Midway’s facilities would be formally dedicated in 1927, launching the airport Chicagoans know today. The City plans to commemorate that milestone with a centennial celebration in 2027. Midway Day will be observed annually on May 8 and will serve as an opportunity to highlight Chicago’s aviation origins, recognize the contributions of aviation workers, and inspire future generations to pursue careers in aviation.

Photo Credit: Midway International Airport