Go Fly a Kite Day

Go Fly a Kite Day is annually celebrated on the third Sunday in April.

History of Go Fly a Kite Day

"Go fly a kite" is an idiom used as a way to tell someone to go away or to leave you alone. The phrase originated in the 1940s and was very popular at the time and for the next few decades. Its meaning is derived from its literal meaning: a person may need to travel far to actually fly a kite. A similar phrase is "Go dancing in the lake." In these phrases, the key word is "go", not where the person is directed. Another idiom with a similar meaning is "Get lost." Go Fly a Kite Day happens during National Kite Month, which means the phrase should be taken literally, and everyone should use the day to fly a kite!

It is believed that the kites come from Shangdong, an eastern province of China. They were spread to India by traders, who brought them to Korea, and then throughout Asia. Different styles of kites, as well as different cultural purposes for flying them, appear in different locations. Early kites were usually made of bamboo, and covered with silk and paper. In 1295 C.E., European explorer Marco Polo recorded kites and how to fly them. By the sixteenth century, books and literature had publicized kites as children's toys, which helped make them popular. Eventually, kites began to be used for science. In 1749, Scottish meteorologist Alexander Wilson measured the air temperature at 3,000 feet with a thermometer mounted on a kite. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was electricity by using a kite. The Wright brothers used kites for research when they built the first airplane in the late 1800s. During the first half of the twentieth century, it was the beginner of designing kite such as diamond kite, tetrahedron kite, flexible kite, ski kite and parafoil kite. Starting in the 1950s, NASA began using kites to recover spacecraft. Over the years, kites were also used for surveillance during war. The American Kite Runners Association was founded in 1964.

How to celebrate Go Fly a Kite Day

You can celebrate the day by telling someone to "fly the kite," but it might actually be better if you fly the kite yourself. If you do not own a kite, do not hesitate to buy or make a kite by yourself. You can make a diamond kite or a tetrahedron kite. You can search for some kite festivals or events in your area or plan a trip to some of the other great kite festivals around the world. You can also join the American Kite Flyers Association and find kite clubs and retailers in your area. Finally, you can visit the World Kite Museum.