Amelia Earhart

Amelia Mary Earhart was a strong, courageous, independent woman who broke all female barriers to do what she loved, to fly. Ten year old Amelia was not impressed at all seeing her first plane, according to the family of Amelia. She said, “It was a thing of rusty wire and wood and looked not at all interesting. It wasn’t until Amelia attended a stunt-flying exhibition a decade later that she became interested in aviation. Amelia Earhart has inspired many people all over the world and will pass her legacy on for years to come. Amelia Earhart was born to Amelia “Amy” and Edwin Earhart July 24, 1897 in the small city of Atchison, Kansas. She was very much a tomboy growing up climbing trees and hunting rats with a .22 rifle. Earhart looked up to
She took off from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland on the morning of May 20, 1932 to begin her solo flight over the Atlantic. Strong winds, icy conditions, and mechanical problems forced her to land in a pasture near Londonderry, Ireland. Two days later, on May 22, Amelia landed at the Hanworth Airfield in London. Earhart was considered a national hero for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She was awarded the Gold Medal from the National Geographic Society, which was presented by President Herbert Hoover. Congress awarded her the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was the first one ever given to a woman. The French government awarded Amelia with the Cross of the Knight of the Legion of
This made her the first person to fly across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. In April 1935 she flew solo from Los Angeles to Mexico City, and in May she flew from, Mexico City to New York. In 1937, as Amelia was close to 40, she wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world. “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system, and I hope this trip is it.” On June 1, 1937 Amelia and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami to begin the 29,000 mile trip. About 7,000 miles had been completed when they landed in Lae, New Guinea on June 29, 1937. Frequent inaccurate maps had made navigation hard for Noonan. They removed all unessential items from the plane to make room for extra fuel. On July 2, 1937 they took back off to Howland Island. They flew through overcast skies and rain. Radio transmissions between them and the ITASCA were irregular and static. At 7:42am the ITASCA picked up a message saying, “We must be on you, but we cannot see you. Fuel is running low. Been unable to reach you by radio. We are flying at 1,000 feet. The last thing ever heard from Amelia was at 8:45 saying, “We are running north and