In 1937, Amelia Earhart was one of the most famous women in the world. For ten years, she had been breaking records and challenging stereotypes, becoming a role model for many. As she set off on her greatest adventure—a trip around the world—everyone was watching. But then, she mysteriously disappeared. Let’s explore the amazing and mysterious life of Amelia Earhart.
Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. She was the older sister to Muriel, who was two years younger. Her father, Edwin, was a talented lawyer, but he struggled with alcohol, which affected his career. Amelia spent much of her childhood living with her grandparents in Atchison during the school year and with her parents in Kansas City during holidays.
Amelia loved reading and spent many hours with books. She admired her father for his storytelling skills, even though he had trouble managing money. Despite moving often, which made her feel unsettled, Amelia focused on her dreams. She was adventurous and loved sports, even when society expected girls to stick to traditional activities. Her parents supported her interests and let her dress comfortably for play.
Amelia did well in school, although she sometimes missed small details. She first saw an airplane at the Iowa State Fair in 1907, but it didn’t interest her at the time. In 1908, her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she continued to excel in school despite her parents’ financial struggles.
Edwin’s drinking eventually cost him his job, and the family faced financial difficulties. After moving several times, they settled in Springfield, Missouri, where things got worse. Amelia’s mother decided on a trial separation, and they moved to Chicago. There, Amelia took on responsibilities for her mother and sister.
By 1915, the family reunited in Kansas City, and Amelia attended a finishing school in Pennsylvania. She developed an interest in accomplished women but felt conflicted about returning to school after witnessing World War I’s impact.
Amelia left school to join a Voluntary Aid Detachment, working as an assistant nurse. This experience sparked her interest in flying as she cared for injured pilots. After recovering from an illness, she enrolled at Columbia University but left to support her family.
In 1920, Amelia attended an air rodeo with her father and took her first flight. This experience ignited her passion for flying, and she started taking lessons, paying for them herself. She became a skilled pilot and bought her first plane, which she named Canary.
Over the next few years, Amelia broke several records and became known as one of the few women pilots. In 1928, she became the first woman to fly across the North Atlantic as a passenger. This achievement led to a partnership with businessman George Putnam, who helped her improve her flying skills and promoted her career.
Amelia continued to set records, including becoming the first woman to fly solo across the North Atlantic in 1932. With her husband’s support, she became a celebrity, designed a clothing line, and wrote books about her experiences.
On her 38th birthday, Amelia decided to attempt a round-the-world flight. She bought a Lockheed 10-E Electra and recruited navigator Fred Noonan for the journey. The flight began on March 17, 1937, but faced many challenges.
On July 2, 1937, Amelia and Noonan took off for Howland Island but never arrived. The last known position of their plane was near the Nukumanu Islands, and extensive searches failed to find them.
Over the years, many theories about Amelia’s disappearance have emerged, but the mystery remains unsolved. Despite this, Amelia Earhart’s legacy continues to inspire and captivate people around the world.
Research key events in Amelia Earhart’s life and create a timeline. Use dates and brief descriptions to highlight her achievements and challenges. You can use online tools or draw it on paper. This will help you understand the sequence of events and the impact she had on aviation history.
Design a colorful and informative poster that celebrates Amelia Earhart’s accomplishments. Include images, quotes, and interesting facts about her life. Display your poster in the classroom to share what you’ve learned with your classmates.
Imagine you are Amelia Earhart during one of her record-setting flights. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Consider the challenges she faced and how she might have felt about her achievements and the risks involved.
Choose another pioneering woman in aviation and research her contributions. Prepare a short presentation to share with the class, highlighting her achievements and how she was inspired by or related to Amelia Earhart’s legacy.
Investigate the various theories about Amelia Earhart’s disappearance. Create a report or presentation summarizing the most popular theories and your own opinion on what might have happened. Discuss the evidence supporting each theory and why the mystery remains unsolved.
**Amelia Earhart**
In 1937, Amelia Earhart was one of the most famous women on the planet. For the last decade, she had been challenging stereotypes, breaking records, and establishing herself as an international role model. As she set off for her greatest adventure—a round-the-world excursion—the whole world was watching. Then, suddenly, she disappeared. In this week’s Biographics, we delve into the remarkable and mysterious life and death of Amelia Earhart.
**Beginnings**
Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. She was the older of two daughters to Edwin and Amy, with her sister Muriel being two years younger. Edwin Stanton Earhart was a talented lawyer who worked for the railways, but his career was affected by an addiction to alcohol. Amelia was named after her maternal grandmother, Millie Otis. Millie and Amelia’s grandfather, Alfred, took her in, and she lived with them during the school year in Atchison from ages 3 to 11. During the holidays, she stayed with her parents in Kansas City.
Amelia attended a private college preparatory school until she was ready for high school. Becoming an avid reader, young Amelia spent many long hours devouring books of every sort. Despite spending most of the year away from him, she adored her witty and imaginative father. Edwin entertained the girls and their friends with Western thrillers filled with bandits, cowboys, and other fictional characters. Amelia marveled at his command of the English language.
Despite his brilliance as a wordsmith, Edwin struggled with financial matters. As a railroad lawyer, he never fully applied himself, preferring to invent things that would make him wealthy. In 1903, he designed a device to hold signal flags on trains. After discovering that someone else had already patented a similar device, he faced financial setbacks that affected the family.
The family moved several times during Amelia’s childhood, which left her feeling rootless and insecure. However, rather than discussing her problems, she focused on her ambitions. Amelia was a daredevil who acted as if she was immune to danger and was drawn to sports, despite societal expectations that limited girls to more traditional activities. She was fortunate to have parents who encouraged her interests and allowed her to dress in practical clothing for play.
Amelia’s academic performance was good, but she often lacked attention to detail. It was at the Iowa State Fair in 1907 that she saw her first airplane, which did not initially interest her. In 1908, she moved with her parents to Des Moines, Iowa, where she entered public school and continued to excel academically, despite her parents’ constant arguments over money.
**Hardship**
Edwin’s drinking eventually led to him losing his job, and the family struggled to make ends meet. After a series of difficult moves, they relocated to Springfield, Missouri, where the situation worsened. Amelia’s mother demanded a trial separation, and the family moved to Chicago, where Amelia took on responsibilities for her mother and sister.
By the fall of 1915, the family had reunited in Kansas City, and Amelia was sent to a finishing school in Pennsylvania. There, she polished her social skills and developed a keen interest in accomplished women. However, she felt conflicted about returning to school after witnessing the effects of World War I.
Amelia decided to quit school and joined a Voluntary Aid Detachment, where she worked as an assistant nurse. This experience sparked her fascination with flying, as she cared for injured pilots. After a period of illness, she enrolled at Columbia University but eventually quit her studies to focus on her family’s well-being.
**First Flight**
In 1920, Amelia attended an air rodeo with her father, where she took her first flight. This experience ignited her passion for flying, and she signed up for lessons, funding them herself. She became a confident pilot and eventually purchased her first plane, which she named Canary.
Over the next few years, Amelia broke several records and gained recognition as one of the few women pilots. In 1928, she became the first woman to fly across the North Atlantic as a passenger. This achievement led to a close relationship with businessman George Putnam, who helped her improve her flying skills and promoted her career.
**A World Record**
Amelia continued to break records, including becoming the first woman to fly solo across the North Atlantic in 1932. With her husband’s support, she became a celebrity and began designing a clothing line. She also wrote several books about her experiences.
**The Final Challenge**
On her 38th birthday, Amelia decided to attempt a round-the-world flight. She purchased a Lockheed 10-E Electra and recruited navigator Fred Noonan for the journey. The flight began on March 17, 1937, but faced numerous challenges along the way.
**Disappeared**
On July 2, 1937, Amelia and Noonan took off for Howland Island, but they never arrived. The last known position of the Electra was near the Nukumanu Islands, and extensive search efforts failed to find any trace of them.
Over the years, speculation about Amelia’s disappearance has intensified, with various theories and claims emerging. While the mystery remains unsolved, it is clear that Amelia Earhart’s legacy will continue to captivate the world for years to come.
Amelia – A name often associated with Amelia Earhart, a famous American aviator known for her flying achievements. – Amelia was a pioneer in aviation, inspiring many with her daring flights.
Earhart – The last name of Amelia Earhart, a notable figure in aviation history who attempted to fly around the world. – Earhart’s disappearance remains one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history.
Pilot – A person who operates the controls of an aircraft. – As a pilot, Amelia Earhart broke many records and inspired future generations.
Flight – The act of flying through the air, often referring to a journey made by an aircraft. – Amelia Earhart’s solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean was a remarkable achievement.
Records – Achievements that are documented as the best or first of their kind. – Amelia Earhart set numerous records in aviation, including being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.
Adventure – An exciting or unusual experience, often involving exploration or travel. – Amelia Earhart’s life was filled with adventure as she explored new frontiers in aviation.
World – The earth and all its countries, people, and natural features. – Amelia Earhart attempted to fly around the world, showcasing her adventurous spirit.
Mystery – Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. – The disappearance of Amelia Earhart remains a mystery that captivates historians and enthusiasts alike.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Amelia Earhart’s contributions to aviation are an important part of history.
Women – Adult human females, often highlighted in history for their contributions and achievements. – Amelia Earhart was a trailblazer for women in aviation, breaking barriers and inspiring others.
