Friday, Aug. 19 is National Aviation Day. The date each year honors the history and development of aviation in the U.S. In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed this date — to coincide with the birthday of aviation pioneer Orville Wright — to celebrate advancements in flight.
So, what does this have to do with ESPN? Well, ESPN’s North Campus in Bristol, Conn., sits on what used to be Stephenson Field/Bristol Airport. The exact date it opened is unknown, but records indicate the commercial airfield operated from around 1931 to some point in the mid-1950’s.
ESPN has occupied its North Campus building – first in bits and pieces alongside other companies and eventually as sole occupant – since 2005. It is currently home to more than 1,000 ESPN employees who work in Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Business Operations, Information Technology, Remote Operations and Controllers.