May 2005
Coulaines and kitty Hwk become sister cities
A great symbol for france and USA around Wright brothers story
When in February 2005 a delegation from Sarthe (France) visits North Carolina and Kitty hawk area, nobody thinks that Mr. Bill HARRIS, Mayor on behalf of the City of Kitty Hawk, would make an official request for Kitty Hawk to become sister city of any of the cities member of Le Mans Metropolis area. This request is transmited and proposed to several cities of Le Mans Metropolis, including Coulaines which decides very quickly - in March 2005 - to accept the proposition.
In May 2005 a delegation from Kitty Hawk and Outer Banks - a seaside region of south east cost of USA which attracts yearly 5 millions tourists - comes this time to Le Mans, Sarthe but also....to Coulaines, city of Le Mans Metropolis to confirm the sister city agreement.
Coulaines is a dynamic city of 8,000 citizens, very sporty which organizes for several years in March the Kite festival of Coulaines, event of national importance. Kitty Hawk on her hand has become a seaside city very attractive which counts about 5,000 citizens in winter and 30,000 in summer.
Kitty Hawk is the place where the WRIGHT brothers made all their initial experimentations with their kites, then their gliders in 1900, then their famous WRIGHT FLYER I which made the first 4 heavier than air, powered, sustained and controled reproductible flights on 17th december 1903 at Kill Devil Hill dune. We are 3 years ahead the 1st heavier than air powered flight on European soil accomplished by Alberto SANTOS-DUMONT - the famous brazilian pioneer - with his 14 Bis at bagatelle park near Paris on October 1906.
