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==First solo Atlantic flight==

==First solo Atlantic flight==

On May 20-21, 1932, Earhart accomplished her goal of flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She took off from Newfoundland, Canada, at 7:12 p.m. on May 20, in her Lockheed Vega. Her flight was filled with dangers, from rapidly changing weather to a broken altimeter so she could not tell how high she was flying, to gasoline leaking into the cockpit. At one point her plane dropped almost 3,000 feet (914 meters) and went into a spin (which she managed to pull out of) and flames were shooting out of the exhaust manifold. She brought her plane down on the coast of Ireland after a harrowing trip lasting 15 hours and 18 minutes The flight was the second solo flight across the Atlantic and the longest nonstop flight by a woman--2,026 miles (3,261 kilometers)--as well as the first flight across the Atlantic by a woman. President [[Herbert Hoover]] awarded her the National Geographic Society Medal on June 21, 1932, for her achievement, and the U.S. Congress awarded her the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]], the first woman to receive such an honor. Earhart's accomplishment meant a great deal to the entire world, but especially to women, for it demonstrated that women could set their own course in aviation and other fields.

On May 20–21, 1932, Earhart accomplished her goal of flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She took off from Newfoundland, Canada, at 7:12 p.m. on May 20, in her Lockheed Vega. Her flight was filled with dangers, from rapidly changing weather to a broken altimeter so she could not tell how high she was flying, to gasoline leaking into the cockpit. At one point her plane dropped almost 3,000 feet (914 meters) and went into a spin (which she managed to pull out of) and flames were shooting out of the exhaust manifold. She brought her plane down on the coast of Ireland after a harrowing trip lasting 15 hours and 18 minutes The flight was the second solo flight across the Atlantic and the longest nonstop flight by a woman—2,026 miles (3,261 kilometers)--as well as the first flight across the Atlantic by a woman. President [[Herbert Hoover]] awarded her the National Geographic Society Medal on June 21, 1932, for her achievement, and the U.S. Congress awarded her the [[Distinguished Flying Cross]], the first woman to receive such an honor. Earhart's accomplishment meant a great deal to the entire world, but especially to women, for it demonstrated that women could set their own course in aviation and other fields.

==Other achievements==

==Other achievements==

Her next major achievement was to set the women's nonstop transcontinental speed record. On August 24-25, 1932, she flew from [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], to [[Newark]], [[New Jersey]], in a record 19 hours, 5 minutes, flying a Lockheed Vega, also becoming the first woman to fly solo coast-to-coast. The next July she set a new transcontinental speed record, making the same flight in a record 17 hours, 7 minutes.  

Her next major achievement was to set the women's nonstop transcontinental speed record. On August 24–25, 1932, she flew from [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], to [[Newark]], [[New Jersey]], in a record 19 hours, 5 minutes, flying a Lockheed Vega, also becoming the first woman to fly solo coast-to-coast. The next July she set a new transcontinental speed record, making the same flight in a record 17 hours, 7 minutes.  

In January 1935, Earhart became the first woman to make a solo long-distance flight over the Pacific Ocean, flying from [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], to [[San Francisco]], California. This complicated flight in her second Lockheed Vega occurred in adverse weather conditions and demonstrated Earhart's courage as well as her stubbornness. She followed that flight with two more first solo flights--one on April 19-20 from Los Angles, California, to [[Mexico City]], in 13 hours, 23 minutes and the second on May 8, 1935, from Mexico City to Newark, New Jersey, in 14 hours, 19 minutes.

In January 1935, Earhart became the first woman to make a solo long-distance flight over the Pacific Ocean, flying from [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], to [[San Francisco]], California. This complicated flight in her second Lockheed Vega occurred in adverse weather conditions and demonstrated Earhart's courage as well as her stubbornness. She followed that flight with two more first solo flights—one on April 19–20 from Los Angles, California, to [[Mexico City]], in 13 hours, 23 minutes and the second on May 8, 1935, from Mexico City to Newark, New Jersey, in 14 hours, 19 minutes.

==Flight around the world==

==Flight around the world==

Earhart wanted to be the first of either gender to fly around the world at its widest, close to the equator. She acquired the most advanced long-range, non-military aircraft available--a Lockheed Model 10E Electra. The all-metal, two-engine plane had been reconfigured with extra fuel tanks replacing the passenger seats, allowing the plane to travel farther between refuelings.  

Earhart wanted to be the first of either gender to fly around the world at its widest, close to the equator. She acquired the most advanced long-range, non-military aircraft available—a Lockheed Model 10E Electra. The all-metal, two-engine plane had been reconfigured with extra fuel tanks replacing the passenger seats, allowing the plane to travel farther between refuelings.  

Her first attempt at the world flight began on March 17, 1937, in Oakland, California, but ended abruptly with a runway crash in Honolulu, Hawaii, after a tire blew and a shock absorber on the landing gear failed. Earhart decided to repair the damaged plane and try again.

Her first attempt at the world flight began on March 17, 1937, in Oakland, California, but ended abruptly with a runway crash in Honolulu, Hawaii, after a tire blew and a shock absorber on the landing gear failed. Earhart decided to repair the damaged plane and try again.

Although only 39 when she disappeared, Earhart accomplished a great deal and is considered a true hero of the 20th century, especially for women. She demonstrated courage, integrity, and an independent spirit. She used her fame to advance the cause of women and showed that a determined woman could achieve anything. Her efforts led a generation of women to seek new horizons and new roles for themselves.

Although only 39 when she disappeared, Earhart accomplished a great deal and is considered a true hero of the 20th century, especially for women. She demonstrated courage, integrity, and an independent spirit. She used her fame to advance the cause of women and showed that a determined woman could achieve anything. Her efforts led a generation of women to seek new horizons and new roles for themselves.

On the negative side, Holbrook (1971) argues the sole reason behind Earhart's tragic final flight was publicity and financial gain. She also wanted to show the world that women could do things as well as, if not better than, men. All in all - the contract with Harcourt, Brace and Company to write a story of the flight; a position as special correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune, reporting on the progress of her flight; a cargo of stamp covers; radio commitments in Honolulu and California - there can be little doubt that the Earhart mission was designed to increase the prestige of the Putnams (Amelia and her husband, George Palmer Putnam) and to use the resultant publicity to enhance the new commercial venture they planned to participate in at the end of the flight. Holbrook rejects the notions that Earhart acted as a spy for the U.S. Government, or that she was on a scientific mission.<ref> Francis X. Holbrook, "Amelia Earhart's Final Flight." ''U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings'' 1971 97(2): 48-55. 0041-798x </ref>

On the negative side, Holbrook (1971) argues the sole reason behind Earhart's tragic final flight was publicity and financial gain. She also wanted to show the world that women could do things as well as, if not better than, men. All in all - the contract with Harcourt, Brace and Company to write a story of the flight; a position as special correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune, reporting on the progress of her flight; a cargo of stamp covers; radio commitments in Honolulu and California - there can be little doubt that the Earhart mission was designed to increase the prestige of the Putnams (Amelia and her husband, George Palmer Putnam) and to use the resultant publicity to enhance the new commercial venture they planned to participate in at the end of the flight. Holbrook rejects the notions that Earhart acted as a spy for the U.S. Government, or that she was on a scientific mission.<ref>Francis X. Holbrook, "Amelia Earhart's Final Flight." ''U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings'' 1971 97(2): 48-55. 0041-798x</ref>

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*[http://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/ Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum]

*[http://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/ Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum]

*[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Bulletins/37_ItascaLogs/Itascalog.html Radio logs of USCG Cutter ''Itasca'']

*[http://www.tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Bulletins/37_ItascaLogs/Itascalog.html Radio logs of USCG Cutter ''Itasca'']

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