February 18

Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day

February 16, 2026 4 Min Read

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Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day is observed on February 18. In 2027, this date falls on a Thursday. This lighthearted holiday commemorates a unique moment in aviation and agricultural history when a cow named Elm Farm Ollie took to the skies. On this date in 1930, the Guernsey cow became the first of her kind to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft. During the 72-mile trip from Bismarck to St. Louis, Missouri, she was also milked mid-flight, marking a second historical first for both animals and aviation.

History of Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day
Why is Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day important?
How to Celebrate Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day
Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day Dates Table

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History of Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day

The event was staged as part of the International Air Exposition in St. Louis. Organizers selected Elm Farm Ollie, who was also known by the name Nellie Jay, specifically for her gentle temperament and high milk production. She was loaded onto a Ford Trimotor, a rugged aircraft often called the “Tin Goose,” which was piloted by Claude Sterling. The flight was intended to generate publicity for the air show and to demonstrate the stability and potential of modern aircraft for transporting livestock.

While the mission served as a publicity stunt, it also had a pseudo-scientific purpose. Researchers wanted to observe how high altitudes and the vibrations of flight would affect a cow’s behavior and milk yield. During the journey, a Wisconsin dairyman named Elsworth W. Bunce performed the milking. Ollie produced 24 quarts of milk, which were promptly sealed in paper cartons. These containers were attached to small parachutes and dropped from the plane to the spectators waiting below at the exposition.

Why is Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day important?

This day highlights the spirit of innovation and eccentricity that defined the early era of flight. In the 1930s, aviation was still a relatively new technology, and stunts like Ollie’s flight helped the public see airplanes as versatile tools rather than just dangerous machines. It proved that if a 1,000-pound cow could travel safely and calmly at high altitudes, then air travel was stable enough for almost any cargo or passenger. The success of the flight helped normalize the idea of air logistics.

The holiday also serves as a tribute to the dairy industry and the resilience of farm animals. Elm Farm Ollie became a national celebrity following her flight, earning the nickname “Sky Queen.” Her story has been preserved largely through the efforts of dairy enthusiasts in Wisconsin, who transformed the anniversary into a day of fun and historical appreciation. It reminds people that progress often involves unusual experiments and that even the most bizarre ideas can lead to significant shifts in public perception.

The flight covered a distance of 72 miles across the state of Missouri.
Elm Farm Ollie was a Guernsey cow known for producing rich, high-fat milk.
Famous aviator Charles Lindbergh was reportedly among those who sampled the “air milk.”
The Ford Trimotor used for the flight was one of the most reliable planes of its time.
Ollie lived for another eight years on her farm following her brief stint as a celebrity.

How to Celebrate Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day

Celebrating this day usually involves a mix of dairy appreciation and aviation history. Many people choose to enjoy a tall glass of milk or a milkshake in honor of the “Sky Queen.” If you live near a dairy farm or an aviation museum, visiting these locations can provide a more hands-on way to connect with the holiday’s themes. Some enthusiasts even host small parties where they share the story of Ollie and her 24 quarts of parachuted milk.

For those interested in the creative side of the holiday, writing a poem or drawing a picture of a flying cow is a traditional way to mark the occasion. In Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, the day has been celebrated with festivals and even a specially commissioned opera titled “Madam Butterfat.” You can also participate by sharing fun facts about the event on social media using hashtags related to Elm Farm Ollie. It is a day meant for sharing a laugh over one of history’s most unusual milestones.