The Diary of Amelia Earhart

Introduction

• Amelia Earhart was a pioneering American pilot and is considered a national hero.
• She disappeared on July 2, 1937, when her airplane crashed near Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean.
• Despite extensive searches, her plane has never been found.

Early Life

• Born: July 24, 1897, in Kansas City to Amy and Edwin Earhart.
• Childhood: Lived across the United States, moved to Iowa at age 10.

Diary Entry - July 1908

• Celebrated her 10th birthday by attending the Iowa State Fair.
• Saw an airplane for the first time, describing it as a "strange-looking thing."

World War I

• In 1917, visited her sister in Canada and volunteered as a nurse in a military hospital in Toronto.
• Helped soldiers until the war ended in 1918.

Diary Entry - November 1918

• Felt the war was terrible and expressed hope for no more wars in the future.

Love for Aviation

• Moved to California post-war and developed an interest in flying.

Diary Entry - December 1920

• Attended an air show at Doherty Field and had her first airplane experience, which ignited her passion for flying.

Diary Entry - January 1921

• Met instructor Netta for flying lessons and was determined to become a pilot.

Diary Entry - March 1921

• Experienced an accident while flying, but remained committed to becoming a great pilot despite doubts from others.

Diary Entry - June 1921

• Purchased her first airplane, named "Canary," and had a minor accident while landing.

Achievements and Recognition

• Worked hard over the next seven years to become an excellent and famous pilot.
• Boston Globe recognized her as the best woman pilot in the U.S.

Diary Entry - April 1928

• Invited to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean as a captain with two men accompanying her.

Diary Entry - May 1932

• Successfully completed a solo flight across the Atlantic despite challenges, landing in Ireland instead of Paris due to a storm.

Diary Entry - June 1932

• Celebrated in New York City with a parade and received an award from President Hoover.

Ambitions to Fly Around the World

• Announced plans in December 1936 to fly around the world at the equator, marking the longest flight distance.

Diary Entry - May 1937

• Began her world flight journey, planning to complete it in about a month.

Disappearance

• Last diary entry in July 1937, expressing hope for good weather over Howland Island.
• The plane disappeared the next day, sparking a massive but unsuccessful search operation.

Legacy

• Known for her courage and determination to break boundaries for women in aviation.
• Wrote to her husband, George Putnam, acknowledging the dangers of her world flight but emphasizing the importance of inspiring other women.