Amelia Earhart's Milestones

Amelia Earhart was a pioneering American aviator, famed as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, who mysteriously disappeared during her 1937 attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
1897

Birth

Amelia Earhart was born in Atchison, Kansas, to Samuel Edwin Stanton Earhart and Amelia Otis Earhart.

Family July 24, 1897
1909

Family moved to Des Moines

Family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where Amelia saw her first airplane at a state fair.

Location January 1, 1909

Early education

Attended various schools in Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois due to family moves.

Education January 1, 1909 - January 1, 1916
1916

Attended Ogontz School

Attended Ogontz School in Pennsylvania, a private college preparatory school for girls.

Education January 1, 1916 - December 1, 1918
1918

Volunteered as nurse's aide

Volunteered as a nurse's aide in Toronto during World War I, caring for wounded soldiers.

Other December 1, 1918 - November 1, 1919
1919

Enrolled at Columbia University

Studied pre-med at Columbia University before leaving to join her parents in California.

Education January 1, 1919 - January 1, 1920
1920

First airplane ride

Took her first airplane ride in California, inspiring her passion for aviation.

Achievement December 28, 1920
1921

First flying lesson

Began flying lessons with female instructor Neta Snook.

Education January 3, 1921

Bought first plane

Purchased her first airplane, a Kinner Airster, nicknamed 'The Canary.'

Achievement July 1, 1921
1922

Set altitude record

Set a women's world altitude record of 14,000 feet.

Achievement October 22, 1922
1923

Received pilot's license

Became the 16th woman in the world to receive a pilot's license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

Achievement May 15, 1923
1928

Became aviation editor for Cosmopolitan

Served as aviation editor for Cosmopolitan magazine, promoting aviation to the public.

Career January 1, 1928 - January 1, 1930

First transatlantic flight (passenger)

Became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air as a passenger on the Friendship flight; became an international celebrity.

Achievement June 17, 1928 - June 18, 1928
1929

Co-founded The Ninety-Nines

Co-founded and became the first president of The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of female pilots.

Achievement November 2, 1929
1931

Married George Putnam

Married publisher George Palmer Putnam.

Relationship February 7, 1931
1932

Published 'The Fun of It'

Published her autobiography 'The Fun of It,' inspiring women in aviation.

Achievement January 1, 1932

First solo transatlantic flight

Became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland to Ireland.

Achievement May 20, 1932 - May 21, 1932

Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

First woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for her solo transatlantic flight.

Achievement June 21, 1932

First solo transcontinental flight

First woman to fly solo nonstop across the United States, from Los Angeles to Newark.

Achievement August 24, 1932
1935

First solo Hawaii to California flight

First person to fly solo from Hawaii to California.

Achievement January 11, 1935

First solo Mexico City to Newark flight

First person to fly solo nonstop from Mexico City to Newark, New Jersey.

Achievement May 8, 1935
1937

Attempted world flight

Attempted to circumnavigate the globe with navigator Fred Noonan; disappeared over the Pacific Ocean and was declared lost at sea.

Other June 1, 1937 - July 2, 1937

Legacy and honors

Earhart remains a pioneering figure in aviation; numerous memorials, scholarships, and a US postage stamp honor her legacy.

Achievement July 3, 1937 - June 5, 2025
1939

Declared legally dead

Amelia Earhart was declared legally dead in absentia by a California court.

Other January 5, 1939