National Skydive Day

Thrill-seekers in the sky! A group of diverse individuals in colorful jumpsuits, soaring through the clouds with expressions of pure joy.. — National skydive day illustration

Ah, National Skydive Day! Are you ready to take your love for adrenaline to new heights? Strap yourself in and get ready to plunge into the exhilarating world of skydiving. This national day is all about embracing the thrill of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane and defying gravity like a superhero!

When is Skydive Day?

It's national skydive day on the 6th December.

The Birth of National Skydive Day:

Before we get into the online history of National Skydive Day, let's take a leap back in time to explore the origins of this heart-pumping celebration. It all began when a group of daredevils decided to honor the breathtaking art of skydiving.

Ever since the Wright brothers showed off their impressive flying skills, humans have been obsessed with soaring through the skies like birds. But it wasn't until the early 20th century that skydiving as we know it today started to take shape.

Thanks to the efforts of brave individuals who strapped fabric to their arms and threw themselves out of airplanes, skydiving became an extreme sport beloved by thrill-seekers worldwide. And so, National Skydive Day was born!

A Skydiving Craze Hits the Internet:

Now, let's fast forward to the digital age, where our love for skydiving has taken on a whole new dimension. With the Internet at our fingertips, we can now dive into the world of skydiving without even leaving the comfort of our homes.

According to our trusty online detectors, National Skydive Day has garnered 21 mentions online, and the most buzz was generated on December 6, 2015. That's the day when skydiving enthusiasts from around the world came together to celebrate their shared passion for defying gravity.

People took to social media to share epic skydiving videos, heart-pumping stories, and pictures of themselves taking the leap of faith. The online skydiving community is a tight-knit group of adrenaline junkies who love nothing more than to show off their aerial acrobatics.

From heart-stopping freefalls to beautiful parachute formations, the Internet has become a platform for skydiving enthusiasts to connect, inspire, and dare each other to try ever more daring stunts.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the highest skydive ever performed was by Felix Baumgartner in 2012? He jumped from a record-breaking height of 24 miles above the Earth's surface. Talk about reaching for the stars!

History behind the term 'Skydive'

1797

The Invention of the Parachute

In 1797, Frenchman André-Jacques Garnerin invented the parachute. He used it as a means of escape in case of emergencies while flying in hot air balloons. This was the first step towards the concept of skydiving, as it demonstrated the possibility of descending safely from great heights.

1919

The First Recorded Freefall

In 1919, Leslie Irvin, an American pioneer in the field of parachuting, performed the first recorded freefall. Irvin jumped from an airplane and deliberately disconnected from the aircraft before deploying his parachute. This marked the beginning of intentional freefall jumps, which would become an essential part of skydiving.

1952

The Term 'Skydive' Is Coined

In 1952, Raymond Young, an Australian skydiver, coined the term 'skydive.' As the sport grew in popularity, there arose a need for a distinct and catchy term to refer to the act of jumping from an aircraft and descending under a parachute. 'Skydive' quickly gained recognition and became the official term for the exhilarating activity.

1961

Formation of the International Council for Competition Skydiving

In 1961, the International Council for Competition Skydiving (ICCS) was formed. This organization aims to promote, regulate, and standardize skydiving competitions worldwide. The formation of the ICCS played a crucial role in establishing skydiving as a recognized and respected sport with defined rules and regulations.

1969

Record-Breaking Skydive from High Altitude

In 1969, Joseph Kittinger, a United States Air Force officer, set a record for the highest skydive. Kittinger jumped from an altitude of 102,800 feet (31,334 meters) during the Excelsior III mission. This breathtaking feat not only pushed the limits of human achievement but also brought considerable attention to skydiving as an extreme sport.

2002

Introduction of Indoor Skydiving

In 2002, indoor skydiving made its debut with the opening of the first vertical wind tunnel in Orlando, Florida. This revolutionary form of skydiving simulation allows enthusiasts to experience the sensation of freefall without jumping from an aircraft. Indoor skydiving quickly gained popularity and expanded to various locations worldwide, providing a safer and more accessible introduction to the sport.