Opening the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The first event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center was a well-deserved "Salute to Military Veterans" which featured music by the U.S. Air Force's WWII-style jazz band, "Airmen of Note," remarks by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard B. Myers, and attendance by more than 4,000 military aviation veterans of World War II through Iraqi Freedom.

On December 15, 2003, the Udvar-Hazy Center opened its doors to the public. More than 10,000 visited the center that day.