This year will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It’s a milestone that is being celebrated nationwide with special events.

One of those events is the Freedom Plane, a National Archives traveling exhibition that will bring nine original Founding-era documents to eight cities throughout the country, including Los Angeles.

Our city is a natural stop for the Freedom Plane due to its rich aviation history.

In 1910, Los Angeles County hosted the first major U.S. aviation airshow at Dominguez Field. An estimated 250,000 spectators came to the show over 11 days, and it was named “one of the greatest public events in the history of the West” by the Los Angeles Times. It featured monoplanes, biplanes and dirigibles, commonly known as airships, and introduced thousands of people to aviation. The show also featured some of history’s greatest aviation legends, including Glenn Curtiss.

The 1910 air show at Dominguez Field was the launch point for the aerospace industry in Los Angeles. In fact, it was the preferred location for some of the industry’s largest manufacturers beginning in the 1920s due to its mild weather, open spaces and investment in education that provided a talented pool of candidates for manufacturing jobs, as well as research, testing and engineering positions. By the end of the decade, more than 20 airframe and aircraft engine manufacturers were based in in the greater Los Angeles area and more than 50 landing fields within 30 miles of Los Angeles were opened for mass transit.

That proud tradition of skilled labor, educational investment and aerospace manufacturing excellence continues today. There are more than 150 aerospace and defense companies in the Los Angeles area supporting approximately 200,000 jobs. One of them is a family business started by my father.

Historic and future contributions

A&M Engineering is an aerospace manufacturing company that produces parts and components for commercial and defense aircraft. Like Los Angeles’s relationship with the aviation industry, A&M’s story is steeped in tradition and pride. My father founded A&M 60 years ago after escaping communist Yugoslavia by fleeing to Canada as part of the 1952 Yugoslavian Olympic rowing team. From there, he came to the United States and began a new life. He became part of the vibrant aerospace industry in Los Angeles and began a tradition that has passed down to me.

I’m proud to carry on my father’s legacy and contribute to the critical manufacturing work happening here that supports America’s commercial and defense aviation. Like so many others, it’s an honor to be part of this elite group of business owners and American makers. We are writing the next chapter of aviation history for Los Angeles and our nation.

The Freedom Plane’s visit to Los Angeles is a reminder of this country’s beginning and represents where we’re going. Its journey is inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, and its purpose is to make documents fundamental to America’s founding accessible to citizens across the country so we can all come together and celebrate the unique patchwork of the United States.

The Freedom Plane will be at the University of Southern California Fisher Museum of Art from April 17 through May 3. It is an extraordinary opportunity to view priceless founding documents, reflect on our city’s role in aviation and manufacturing history, and dream of what our shared future can be.

Boris Beljak is the president of A&M Engineering, based in Irwindale. He lives in Pasadena with his wife of 32 years.