Heads up Wright brothers, Bridgeport officials say a local man was actually the first person to fly a heavier-than-air craft.

State and local leaders celebrated Gustave Whitehead's purported 1901 flight at West End Park Monday. They went as far as to proclaim the day Gustave Whitehead Day, in honor of the aviator who may have predated the Wright brothers by two years.

Several years ago "Jane's All the World's Aircraft," an aviation publication, formally recognized the German immigrant and Bridgeport resident as the first person to take flight.

While the debate continues, Whitehead's great-great-granddaughters say they hope their ancestor's name eventually makes it into the history books.