The 1903 flight of the Wright Brothers is significant because it marked the first successful heavier-than-air powered flight. This achievement is crucial in the history of aviation as it demonstrated that human flight with a powered aircraft was possible. The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, not only designed and built an engine that could propel their aircraft but also developed the principles of controlled flight, including wing warping for steering and balance.
Their flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet, which may seem modest by today's standards, but it was a pivotal moment that laid the groundwork for modern aviation. This event signified a new era in transportation and engineering, making it a landmark achievement that is celebrated and studied to this day. The other options, while potentially interesting, do not capture the historic significance of that particular flight.