Profile of the Day: Charles Lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh

On this day in 1927, Charles Lindberg completed the world’s first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh completed the flight in his custom built single-engine monoplane, Spirit of St. Louis, from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York to Paris, France in 33 and a half hours.

Lindbergh was born on February 4, 1902 in Detroit, Michigan to Charles August Lindbergh, a former Congressman, and Evangeline Lodge Land. From a young age, Lindbergh showed an interest in mechanics and aviation. He took up flying at 20 and spent some time working as a stunt pilot. In 1924, he enrolled in the Army Air Service flying school and became an airmail pilot.

On the early morning of May 20, Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field in New York to begin his historic flight across the Atlantic. He landed in Paris, France 33 and half hours later, where a crowed estimated at 150,000 stormed the field. His accomplishment made him internationally famous and he earned a Medal of Honor for his achievement. On the same day five years later, Amelia Earhart would become the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sadly, Lindbergh would also face a personal tragedy in 1932 when his young son was kidnapped and murdered in what the media dubbed the “Crime of the Century.”

Lindbergh died on August 26, 1974 in Hawaii at the age of 72.

Explore Charles Lindbergh’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the aviator.
 

View Charles Lindbergh’s Geni Profile

Image: Library of Congress