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Put on your aviator sunglasses and get ready to celebrate Top Gun Day on May 13! It's the day to honor the classic action movie starring Tom Cruise that was released in 1986. It tells the story of Maverick, a hotshot Naval Aviator who is determined to be the top pilot in his class. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and became one of the highest grossing films of all time. So grab your friends, make some popcorn, and celebrate this thrilling holiday by watching Top Gun – it's guaranteed to be a great time!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1986</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Release of Top Gun</div><div class='timeline-text'>The movie Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise as Maverick, a hotshot pilot training at the U.S. Navy's Fighter Weapons School, was released.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1986</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Top Gun Tops Box Office</div><div class='timeline-text'>Top Gun became one of the highest-grossing films of 1986 and quickly gained a dedicated following.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1987</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Academy Award Win</div><div class='timeline-text'>The movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Take My Breath Away" performed by the band Berlin.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inauguration of Top Gun Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>20 years after the release of the film, Top Gun Day was inaugurated to celebrate and honor the iconic movie.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>30th Anniversary</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 30th anniversary of Top Gun was celebrated with lush fanfare all around the world with special screenings and tributes.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch Top Gun</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family to watch the classic movie Top Gun. Make sure you have enough snacks for everyone.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play Top Gun Themed Games</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create exciting Top Gun themed games, such as a trivia game, an airplane simulator game, and a volleyball tournament.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a Movie Marathon</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a movie marathon of other iconic movies from the 80s, such as The Breakfast Club, Back to the Future, and Ghost Busters.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make Top Gun themed drinks</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create delicious drinks inspired by the movie Top Gun. Examples include Maverick's Margarita and Iceman's Iced Tea.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go for a Plane Ride</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head over to your nearest airport and take a plane ride. Whether in a small single engine plane or large commercial airliner, enjoy the view from above.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's an iconic movie</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Top Gun is considered one of the most influential films of all time. Its story, characters and action scenes have been nothing short of iconic. It's a movie that has stood the test of time and will continue to influence generations to come.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The soundtrack is legendary</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>No matter what song comes on during Top Gun, you know it’s going to be good. From Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone” to Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away,” the soundtrack is so memorable and just as timeless as the movie itself!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It captures the spirit of adventure</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Top Gun showcases the courage and heroism of America's brave pilots, showcasing their skill and incredible feats during training and combat missions. The aerial sequences in the movie will take your breath away, while inspiring you to live life to its fullest!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Location of the Legendary Volleyball Scene is No Longer a Mystery</h3><p class='facts-content'>If you ever wish to relive the iconic volleyball scene from Top Gun, head to Kansas City BBQ in San Diego. The restaurant is the exact location where the scene was shot and is open to the public.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tom Cruise Actually Flew in an F-14 for Certain Scenes</h3><p class='facts-content'>To capture realistic sequences, Tom Cruise was trained and strapped in an F-14 combat jet. However, for safety and legal reasons, he didn't get to pilot himself.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Top Gun" is Actually a Nickname</h3><p class='facts-content'>The official name for the fighter pilot school featured in the movie is U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (SFTI program), but pilots refer to it as "Top Gun" for simplicity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Movie Inspired a Boom in Naval Aviator Applications</h3><p class='facts-content'>After the film's release in 1986, the Navy reported a 500% increase in inquiries about their aviation program. Many enrollees cited the film as their inspiration commencing a career in aviation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>One of the Film's Co-Writers was a Former War Correspondent</h3><p class='facts-content'>Jack Epps Jr., who co-wrote Top Gun with Jim Cash, was a former Vietnam War correspondent. His firsthand experience with military culture informed much of the script.</p></div></div>
Top Gun Day is celebrated on May 13 every year. In 2024 Top Gun Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
May 13
Saturday
2024
May 13
Monday
2025
May 13
Tuesday
2026
May 13
Wednesday
2027
May 13
Thursday
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