American aviator Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone. The crossing, from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland, was completed in 14 hours and 56 minutes on May 20-21, 1932.
American aviator Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone. The crossing, from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland, was completed in 14 hours and 56 minutes on May 20-21, 1932.
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Earhart is escorted from her plane by a policeman in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on May 23, 1932. Prior to completing the solo flight, Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as a passenger in 1928.
Earhart is escorted from her plane by a policeman in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on May 23, 1932. Prior to completing the solo flight, Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic as a passenger in 1928.
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Earhart is seen in the cockpit of her single-engine Lockheed Vega 5B. Earhart was born in 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. She learned to fly after she was inspired by an airplane ride at an air show in 1920. She was the 16th woman to receive a pilot's license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.
Earhart is seen in the cockpit of her single-engine Lockheed Vega 5B. Earhart was born in 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. She learned to fly after she was inspired by an airplane ride at an air show in 1920. She was the 16th woman to receive a pilot's license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.
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Earhart is surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers and journalists in London following her historic flight. She is being congratulated here by Andrew Mellon, the United States ambassador to Britain.
Earhart is surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers and journalists in London following her historic flight. She is being congratulated here by Andrew Mellon, the United States ambassador to Britain.
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Earhart addresses journalists during a lunch in London on May 23, 1932. Her triumphant crossing was not without difficulties. Shortly after taking off from Newfoundland, she encountered thick clouds and ice on the wings of her plane. Mechanical problems later in the flight informed her decision to land in Northern Ireland.
Earhart addresses journalists during a lunch in London on May 23, 1932. Her triumphant crossing was not without difficulties. Shortly after taking off from Newfoundland, she encountered thick clouds and ice on the wings of her plane. Mechanical problems later in the flight informed her decision to land in Northern Ireland.
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Earhart poses with the Gallagher family in Londonderry on May 24, 1932. Earhart landed her plane in the family's field after her solo flight across the Atlantic.
Earhart poses with the Gallagher family in Londonderry on May 24, 1932. Earhart landed her plane in the family's field after her solo flight across the Atlantic.
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Earhart poses for a portrait on May 25, 1932. She made several notable flights after her Atlantic crossing, including a solo flight from Honolulu to Oakland, California.
Earhart poses for a portrait on May 25, 1932. She made several notable flights after her Atlantic crossing, including a solo flight from Honolulu to Oakland, California.
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In October 1932, Earhart received the Gimbel Medal as the "most outstanding woman in America" that year.
In October 1932, Earhart received the Gimbel Medal as the "most outstanding woman in America" that year.
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Earhart disappeared in 1937 during a flight around the world in a twin-engine Lockheed Electra. Two-thirds of the way into the flight, the plane disappeared. Theories have swirled, but little is known of the circumstances of her final flight.
Earhart disappeared in 1937 during a flight around the world in a twin-engine Lockheed Electra. Two-thirds of the way into the flight, the plane disappeared. Theories have swirled, but little is known of the circumstances of her final flight.
U.S. Air Force/National Air and Space Museum/Smithsonian Institution