Amelia Earhart Prior to Last Takeoff
ca. 1937
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Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas, on July 24, 1898. She learned to fly in California and took up aviation as a hobby. She was chosen to be a passenger on the Friendship, becoming the first woman passenger on a transatlantic flight.
She piloted several record flights of her own. In 1922, Earhart set a record for reaching the highest altitude for a woman pilot, flying to 14,000 feet. Six years later, Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. These achievements elevated her status as a celebrity; she wrote a book about her record-breaking experience across the Atlantic and toured the country giving lectures. She also helped create a women’s aviation club, the Ninety-Nines, and was elected the first president.
In June 1937, Earhart attempted the first around-the-world flight with her navigator Frederick J. Noonan. Taking off from Miami, Florida, and flying near the equator, the two flyers made it to New Guinea. After taking off, the plane headed for Howland Island in the Pacific, but vanished. It is believed that the plane was lost at sea.
She piloted several record flights of her own. In 1922, Earhart set a record for reaching the highest altitude for a woman pilot, flying to 14,000 feet. Six years later, Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. These achievements elevated her status as a celebrity; she wrote a book about her record-breaking experience across the Atlantic and toured the country giving lectures. She also helped create a women’s aviation club, the Ninety-Nines, and was elected the first president.
In June 1937, Earhart attempted the first around-the-world flight with her navigator Frederick J. Noonan. Taking off from Miami, Florida, and flying near the equator, the two flyers made it to New Guinea. After taking off, the plane headed for Howland Island in the Pacific, but vanished. It is believed that the plane was lost at sea.
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. Coast Guard.
National Archives Identifier: 6708612
Full Citation: Photograph 26-XC-1; Amelia Earhart Prior to Last Takeoff; ca. 1937; Photographs of Aviatrix Amelia Earhart, ca. 1930 - ca. 1930; Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, Record Group 26; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/earhart-last-takeoff, October 14, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Analyzing a Photograph of Amelia Earhart
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