06/17/2026
In 2013, five-year-old Miles Scott had one wish.
He wanted to be Batman.
Miles had spent much of his young life fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia after being diagnosed as a toddler.
When he completed treatment and was granted a wish through Make-A-Wish Foundation, he did not ask for toys, money, or a vacation.
He asked to be Batman for a day.
What happened next surprised everyone.
Organizers initially hoped a few hundred volunteers would help create a special experience.
Instead, more than 12,000 people stepped forward.
On November 15, 2013, much of San Francisco transformed into Gotham City.
A Bat-Signal lit up the city.
Police officers called for Batman's help.
Crowds lined the streets cheering for "Batkid."
Miles rode through the city in a Batmobile, rescued victims, stopped villains, and completed missions staged across famous locations.
Businesses, government offices, law enforcement agencies, sports organizations, and thousands of volunteers all participated in the effort.
The city even produced a special newspaper celebrating Batman's victory.
By the end of the day, Miles was awarded the key to the city.
The story spread around the world and inspired millions of people who watched strangers unite to create something extraordinary for one child.
Today, Miles is a teenager who has remained cancer-free for many years.
What began as a simple wish from a little boy became one of the most celebrated acts of community kindness ever organized, proving that sometimes an entire city can come together to make a child feel like a superhero.
