A little reason to celebrate
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
History ยท April 1
A look at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, where cadets study for four years before serving as officers in the Air Force or Space Force.
U.S. Air Force Academy Day falls on Thursday, April 1, 2027. That is 156 days away.
The U.S. Air Force Academy is a four-year service academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cadets there earn a college degree while training to become officers, and they graduate as second lieutenants in the Air Force or the Space Force.
The campus sits at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and its setting is part of its character. Cadets study engineering, science, history and the humanities alongside military training, athletics and flying programs. Days are full and structured, with academics in the morning, training and sports later on, and plenty of early alarms in between.
The best-known building on the grounds is the Cadet Chapel, with its row of sharp aluminum spires. It is closed for a long restoration and currently wrapped in a temporary enclosure, so the spires are hidden from view for now. Photographs of the chapel are easy to find, and they show why architects still talk about it.
The academy's visitor center is open and has exhibits on cadet life and the history of the school. For anyone farther away, books and documentaries about the academy and the people who trained there are a quieter way in.
The falcon is the academy's mascot, and its athletic teams are called the Falcons. Cadets also train real falcons as part of a long-running falconry program, and the birds sometimes appear at football games, which is one of the more unusual sights in college sports.
Ways to celebrate
- Browse photos of the Cadet Chapel's spires and read about its design.
- Visit the academy's visitor center exhibits if you are near Colorado Springs.
- Read a book or watch a documentary about cadet life.
- Write a note of thanks to an Air Force or Space Force member you know.
- Watch a Falcons game and look for the falconry team.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, April 1 |
| 2027 | Thursday, April 1 |
| 2028 | Saturday, April 1 |
| 2029 | Sunday, April 1 |
| 2030 | Monday, April 1 |
Also on April 1
- April Fools' Day
- National Burrito Day
- National Sourdough Bread Day
- National One Cent Day
- National Trombone Players Day
Categories: History days