Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic
Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean
May 21, 1932
The First Woman to Fly Solo Across the Atlantic
On May 20-21, 1932, Amelia Earhart flew solo from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, to a field in Northern Ireland — becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She completed the 2,026-mile flight in about 14 hours and 56 minutes. The journey was anything but smooth: she encountered icy conditions, mechanical issues, and strong winds that pushed her off course. She had aimed for Paris, as Lindbergh had done five years earlier.
A Pioneer Who Defied Expectations
Earhart had already flown the Atlantic in 1928, but as a passenger. She wanted to do it herself. Her solo crossing made her an international celebrity. She received the Distinguished Flying Cross from the U.S. Congress, the first woman ever to receive the honor. She used her fame to advocate for women's rights and encourage women to pursue careers in aviation, writing books and giving hundreds of speeches across the country.
The Mystery of Her Disappearance
Earhart disappeared on July 2, 1937, over the central Pacific Ocean during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe. She and her navigator Fred Noonan were never found. The U.S. Navy conducted the largest search in history at that time but found nothing. Theories about what happened range from running out of fuel and ditching at sea to landing on a remote island. Her disappearance remains one of aviation's greatest mysteries, but her legacy as a trailblazer for women endures. Use our age calculator to explore her birth year.