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Today in History: May 21st, 1932

Photo Credit: Jimmy Sime / Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Jimmy Sime / Central Press / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Amelia Earhart Becomes the First Woman to Fly Solo Across the Atlantic

On May 21, 1932, history was made when Amelia Earhart achieved the extraordinary: becoming the first woman to fly solo across the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. She set out from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, Canada, after climbing into her trusty plane, a Lockheed Vega 5B named “The Friendship.” Her goal? To fly all the way to Paris, France, just like Charles Lindbergh did five years earlier.

It wasn’t an easy journey, and along the way, Earhart faced many challenges. The weather threw icy conditions and fog her way, and her plane had some mechanical problems. Despite it all, she didn’t give up, and instead relied on her instruments and her radio to navigate through the rough patches.

Amelia Earhart waves at a crowd surrounding her plane.
Amelia Earhart waving to an admiring crowd upon her arrival at Londonderry, Ireland, after crossing the Atlantic. (Photo Credit: Bettmann / Getty Images)

After nearly 15 hours of flying solo, Earhart officially made history. She safely landed her plane in a field near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, marking and incredible moment not just for Earhart, but for all women. She showed the world that women could do anything men could do, even in the male-dominated world of aviation. Earhart’s solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean wasn’t just a journey from one place to another. It was a giant leap for women everywhere.

More from us: The Inspiring Final Message Amelia Earhart Wrote to Her Husband During Her Last Ever Flight

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Sadly, Earhart would die in a fatal plane crash in 1937, leaving no trace of the wreck behind. It is a mystery that continues to haunt the world today.

TVN News Poster

TVN News Poster is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News