City Of Chicago Declares May 8 As ‘Midway Day’

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson today 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.

"Chicago has always been a city that moves people, goods, and ideas," said Mayor Johnson. "On May 8, 1926, that spirit took to the skies at Chicago Municipal Airport, which we now know as Midway. 'Midway Day' gives us a chance each year to celebrate that defining moment and the generations of aviation workers who have kept Chicago connected to the world ever since."

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 is where Chicago's aviation story began," said Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray. "From that first symbolic message carried by pigeons to the global connectivity we deliver today, Midway has played a foundational role in shaping our city's growth. As we look ahead to Midway's centennial next year, this new observance gives us a meaningful way to connect our history to the future we're building across Chicago's airport system."

Today, Chicago's airports - anchored by O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport - support hundreds of thousands of jobs and serve as critical gateways for travelers, commerce, and global trade.

"Nearly a century after that first moment of flight, Chicago remains one of the most connected cities in the world," McMurray added. "We're continuing that legacy through investments that will ensure our airports serve the next generation of travelers and communities."

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.