What significant event in aviation occurred in 1903?

The year 1903 is particularly noteworthy in aviation history due to the Wright brothers' achievement of the first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. On December 17 of that year, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, for a distance of 120 feet in 12 seconds, marking a pivotal moment in the development of aviation. This event is recognized as the first sustained and controlled airplane flight with a pilot aboard, which laid the foundation for the future of powered flight and aviation technology.

The other options, while significant in their own rights, do not pertain to events that occurred in 1903. The first model glider and the development of jet engines happened much later, and the first solo flight across the Atlantic was not accomplished until Charles Lindbergh's flight in 1927. Understanding the importance of the Wright brothers' flights emphasizes the groundbreaking progress in achieving mechanical flight that would lead to the modern aviation industry.