Did you know that National Amelia Earhart Day is celebrated each year on July 24th? This day honors the achievements that Amelia Earhart has made as a famous American Pilot. Amelia’s love of flying began in December 1920. Her first flight was in California with a World War II Pilot, Frank Hawks. She started taking flight lessons in January 1921 with a female pilot, Neta Snook. She also bought her first plane in 1921. It was a yellow Kinner Airster which she named the Canary.

She received her pilot’s license in December 1921, and she has achieved many records. In 1922, she became the first woman pilot to fly alone at 14,000 feet. In 1932, she was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Congress. In 1929, she helped form an international nonprofit organization that was called the Ninety Nines. This organization was founded by 99 women pilots who inspired new women pilots through education, and scholarships.

Amelia’s flight around the world started on June 1, 1937 out of Oakland, California. She was on this trip with her Navigator, Fred Noonan. They left New Guinea on July 2, 1937 with 7,000 miles left for their journey. Unfortunately, this was the last time that they had been seen alive.

If you would like to learn more about Amelia Earhart’s life and her accomplishments, check out these books from our Children’s collection.