5 Amelia Earhart Facts for Kids
Amelia Earhart is one of the most recognizable names in the world today thanks to her passion in aviation. She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and she set a number of aviation firsts as she attempted to fly around the world. She was lost over the Pacific Ocean in July 1937 and was never heard from again. Her airplane has never been found either, making her story one of the great mysteries of the 20th century.
There are a lot of interesting facts about Amelia Earhart to know about. Are you ready to fly as high as Amelia?
1. They Thought She Was Lying
When Amelia Earhart was flying across the Atlantic Ocean, she ended up making a stop in Ireland after the flight. When she got out of the plane, an Irish farmer asked her where she was from. When she replied that she was an American, the farmer thought she was lying. After all, how could a woman be able to fly an airplane by herself from so far away?
2. A Unique Memorial
It is believed that Amelia Earhart crashed somewhere around Howland Island as she attempted to fly around the world. This island is small – just a mile long and about a mile and a half wide. To honor the memory of this groundbreaking pilot, a lighthouse was constructed on the island so that everyone can know of her courage.
3. She Set More Than 1 Female Aviation First
Amelia Earhart is known for her long-distance aviation achievements, but she set a number of firsts for the aviation industry. In 1935, she became the first female pilot to fly by herself from Los Angeles to Mexico City. From there, she also became the first female pilot to fly solo from Mexico City to Newark, NJ.
4. Nursing Was Another Aspect of Life
We remember Amelia Earhart for her flying accomplishments, but she did a lot of other good work in her life as well. She was trained as a nurse’s aid and helped soldiers who were wounded with her position as a voluntary detachment nurse. At one point, she even became a pre-med student before deciding to focus on aviation full time.
5. Distinguished with Honor
Amelia Earhart is also the first woman who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and only a few women have done so to this day. Although it is a military award, Congress passed a law that allowed the Wright Brothers to receive it. Only a few other civilians have received this award over the years and now it is an exclusive military decoration.
Many theories exist about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and it is likely a mystery that will never be solved. That doesn’t change the fact that Earhart was influential woman, a skilled pilot, and a role model for boys and girls still to this day.
