Article Overview:

This article explores the life, achievements, and enduring mystery of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, from her early inspiration as a nurse’s aide in World War I to her rise as one of the most celebrated pilots in history. It traces her major milestones, including her record-setting transatlantic flights, her role as an advocate for women in aviation, and her work with Purdue University in advancing aeronautical development. The piece also examines the circumstances surrounding her 1937 disappearance during her around-the-world flight attempt, outlines the leading theories about her fate, and highlights modern search efforts. Through historical context and verified facts, the article underscores Earhart’s lasting legacy as a symbol of courage, innovation, and determination.

Susmita Majumder

Early Life

Amelia Earhart, born in 1897, became one of the most influential pioneers in aviation history. She made global headlines as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. On July 2, 1937, she vanished while attempting to complete a historic flight around the world — a mystery that remains unsolved nearly 90 years later.

Today, personal artifacts from her life are preserved at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Despite her mysterious disappearance, Earhart’s pioneering spirit and groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire generations.

Early Life and the Spark of Flight

Amelia Mary Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. After graduating from Hyde Park High School in Chicago in 1916, she traveled to Canada to train as a nurse’s aide, inspired by wounded soldiers returning from World War I. While working at Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto, she encountered military pilots and became fascinated with aviation. Health issues later forced her to return to the United States.

On December 28, 1920, Earhart attended an aerial meet in Long Beach, California, where she took a 10-minute flight with pilot Frank Hawks. The experience sparked her determination to become a pilot.

The following month, she began flying lessons with instructor Neta Snook. Working multiple jobs to save money, Earhart purchased her first aircraft in 1921 — a bright yellow Kinner Airster she nicknamed The Canary. In 1922, she set a women’s altitude record of 14,000 feet. On May 16, 1923, she became the 16th woman in the United States to receive a pilot’s license.

Crossing the Atlantic and Rising to Fame

In 1928, Earhart became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane as a passenger aboard the Friendship. Although she did not pilot the aircraft, she kept the official flight log. The crew battled heavy fog, strong winds, and mechanical problems before landing in Burry Port, Wales.

While Earhart credited the pilots for the successful flight, the media celebrated her as a national hero. Upon returning to the United States, she was honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City and a visit to the White House.

With the support of publisher George Palmer Putnam — whom she later married — Earhart launched a national lecture tour and gained widespread public recognition.

“Lady Lindy” and Aviation Advocacy

Following the 1928 flight, Earhart became known as “Lady Lindy,” a reference to Charles Lindbergh. She used her fame to promote aviation and expand opportunities for women pilots. She wrote the book 20 Hrs., 40 Min., served as an associate editor at Cosmopolitan, and helped found The Ninety-Nines, an international organization for women pilots.

On May 20–21, 1932, Earhart made history again by becoming the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, flying from Newfoundland to Ireland. For this achievement, she received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the National Geographic Society’s Gold Medal, and later France’s Légion d’Honneur.

She went on to set multiple additional records, including the first solo flight from Honolulu to Oakland and solo flights from Los Angeles to Mexico City. She competed in the 1935 Bendix Trophy Race and continued to break speed and distance records for women.

Purdue University and the World Flight Plan

In 1935, Earhart joined Purdue University as a visiting faculty member, where she counseled female students and advised on aeronautical development. With Purdue’s financial support, she acquired a Lockheed Electra aircraft for her most ambitious mission — a flight around the world following an equatorial route.

She and her husband, George Putnam, lived in California while planning the historic journey.

The Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared during the final stages of their around-the-world flight while attempting to locate Howland Island in the central Pacific Ocean. Their last radio transmissions indicated they were low on fuel and unable to find the island.

An extensive U.S. Navy and Coast Guard search followed, but no confirmed trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found. The official U.S. government conclusion was that the plane ran out of fuel and crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

On January 5, 1939, a Los Angeles court declared Earhart legally dead. The ruling allowed George Putnam to manage her estate and resolve outstanding debts associated with the search.

Theories About What Happened

Several theories about Earhart’s fate continue to circulate:

Crash and Sink Theory: The most widely accepted explanation — that the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean.
Nikumaroro (Castaway) Theory: Supported by TIGHAR, suggesting Earhart and Noonan landed on the island now known as Nikumaroro and survived for a short time as castaways.
Japanese Capture Theory: Claims they were captured in the Marshall Islands and imprisoned as spies.
Assumed Identity Theory: Suggests Earhart lived in the U.S. under another name; this claim has been repeatedly discredited.

No theory has been proven with conclusive physical evidence.

Modern Searches and Investigations

In 2024, a sonar scan that appeared to show possible aircraft wreckage was later confirmed to be a natural rock formation. To date, no confirmed wreckage of Earhart’s Lockheed Electra has been authenticated.

Records

Last September, President Trump ordered the declassification and release of all government files related to Amelia Earhart and her final trip. The U.S. National Archives released 4,624 pages of declassified records related to Amelia Earhart’s disappearance last month.

A Lasting Legacy

Even with her fate unknown, Amelia Earhart’s legacy remains powerful. Her life has been honored through books, films, stage productions, museums, and memorials worldwide. Her story inspired Joni Mitchell’s song “Amelia” and the musical Amelia: The Girl Who Wants to Fly.

Nearly a century after her final flight, Earhart endures as a global symbol of courage, innovation, and determination.