Member-only story

Amelia Earhart: The Extraordinary Life and Mysterious Disappearance of the World's Most Famous Aviator

Victor Hugo

·2k Followers· Follow

Published in Amelia Earhart John Parlin

5 min read · 1 month before

302 View Claps

33 Respond

Save

Listen

Amelia Earhart Sitting In A Cockpit Of An Airplane Amelia Earhart John Parlin

Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She was a pioneering aviator who pushed the boundaries of what was possible for women in the early 20th century. Her mysterious disappearance in 1937 has captivated the world's imagination for decades.

Amelia Earhart

by John Parlin

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3864 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	79 pages

Early Life and Career

Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas, on July 24, 1897. She was the daughter of Samuel "Edwin" Stanton Earhart, a lawyer, and Amy Otis Earhart, a housewife. Amelia had two sisters, Muriel and Grace.

Amelia's father was a strict disciplinarian, and he often punished his children for even minor infractions. Amelia's mother was more lenient, and she encouraged her daughter's independence.

Amelia was a tomboy as a child. She loved to climb trees, play baseball, and ride horses. She also had a strong interest in mechanics and aviation.

In 1915, Amelia graduated from high school and enrolled at Ogontz School, a private boarding school in Pennsylvania. She studied there for two years before transferring to Purdue University in Indiana.

Amelia studied engineering at Purdue, but she soon realized that her true passion was aviation. In 1921, she took her first flying lesson. She was hooked from the moment she took off the ground.

Amelia quickly became a skilled pilot. In 1922, she won the first women's air derby. In 1923, she became the first woman to fly solo across the United States.

Transatlantic Flight

In 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She flew from Newfoundland to Wales in a Lockheed Vega airplane.

The flight was a major accomplishment for Earhart and for women in aviation. It proved that women were just as capable as men of flying airplanes.

Later Career

After her transatlantic flight, Amelia Earhart continued to push the boundaries of aviation. She set several more records, including becoming the first woman to fly solo from Hawaii to California and the first person to fly solo from California to Mexico City.

In 1937, Earhart embarked on her most ambitious flight yet: an attempt to fly around the world. She and her navigator, Fred Noonan, took off from Oakland, California, on June 1, 1937.

The flight went well at first. Earhart and Noonan reached New Guinea, Australia, and India. However, on July 2, 1937, they disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Disappearance

The disappearance of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan remains one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history. There are many theories about what happened to them, but no one knows for sure.

One theory is that Earhart and Noonan ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean. Another theory is that they were shot down by the Japanese. Still another theory is that they were captured by the Japanese and held prisoner for the rest of their lives.

The truth about Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan's disappearance may never be known. However, their legacy lives on. They were two of the most courageous and accomplished aviators in history, and their story continues to inspire people around the world.

Legacy

Amelia Earhart was a pioneer for women in aviation. She proved that women were just as capable as men of flying airplanes. She also inspired generations of people to pursue their dreams.

Earhart's legacy is still felt today. There are many organizations that promote women in aviation, and many young women are inspired by her story to pursue careers in the field.

Amelia Earhart was a true American hero. She was a brave and determined woman who achieved great things. Her story is an inspiration to us all.

Amelia Earhart

by John Parlin

4 out of 5