Amelia Earhart Birthday

1897 Amelia Mary Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas July 24th. Amelia had many accomplishments in her brief life some of them include: Completes the first transcontinental flight by a woman in 1928. She set the women's world flying speed record of 181.18 mph in 1930. Completes her first solo transcontinental flight in 1931. Becomes the first woman (and second person) to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in her single engine plane and the first person to cross the Atlantic twice by air in 1932. She started planning her around the world flight in March of 1937 and disappears July 2, 1937.

A rescue attempt commenced immediately and became the most extensive air and sea search in naval history thus far. On July 19, after spending $4 million and scouring 250,000 square miles of ocean, the United States government reluctantly called off the operation. In 1938, a lighthouse was constructed on Howland Island in her memory. Today, though many theories exist, there is no proof of her fate. There is no doubt, however, that the world will always remember Amelia Earhart for her courage, vision, and groundbreaking achievements, both in aviation and for women. In a letter to her husband, written in case a dangerous flight proved to be her last, this brave spirit was evident. "Please know I am quite aware of the hazards," she said. "I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others."