Amelia Earhart was a pioneer in aviation, an acclaimed writer, and a women’s rights activist. She has many aviation records to her credit: she was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, and the first person ever to fly solo from Hawaii to the United States mainland. Today, on her birth anniversary, let’s know more about this inspiring woman.
Born in Atchinson, Kansas on 24th July 1897, Amelia was known to defy feminine trends at a time when it was not accepted to do so. She played sports such as basketball and also took an auto repair course. It is known that she kept a scrapbook of famous women in predominantly male-dominated fields such as law, management, and science.
She took her first plane ride in December 1920 in California, and she instantly knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Aviation, from here, became a passion for her. To pursue her dream, she took her first flying lesson on 3rd January 1921, and subsequently, saved enough to buy herself her first plane – it was a second-hand Kinner Airster, and Amelia called it ‘The Canary.’
Aviation Records Set By Earhart
In her brief aviation career, Amelia set a number of records.
In 1922, she became the first woman ever to fly solo above 14,000 feet. She achieved this remarkable feat by using her own plane, The Canary.
In 1928, she became the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean.
In 1932, Amelia became the first woman, and the second person, to fly solo across the Atlantic.
In 1932, she became the first woman to fly nonstop across the United States. This flight started off in Los Angeles and ended in New Jersey 19 hours later.
In 1935, she became the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to the United States mainland.
Due to her contributions to the field of aviation, she also became the first woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.
She also wrote two books called ’20 Hrs., 40 Min.’ and ‘For The Fun Of It’ based on her experiences of flying.
Unfortunately, Amelia disappeared over the central Pacific Ocean in an attempt to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe in July 1937. The plane wreckage was never found even after intensive searches and she was declared lost at sea.
Her death remains an enigma, but Amelia Earhart has been an inspiration to millions across the globe and her legacy continues till today.
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