On May 20, 1927, aviator Charles Lindbergh embarked on a historic solo transatlantic flight, departing from Roosevelt Field on Long Island and landing safely in Paris after 33-and-a-half hours in the air. Lindbergh, the first person to make a solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic, received backing from investors in St. Louis and named his airplane the Spirit of St. Louis. The journey was physically and mentally taxing, as Lindbergh did not sleep for the entire duration of the flight and even began to hallucinate towards the end. He became an instant celebrity and national hero upon arrival in France, being nicknamed “Lucky Lindy” and “Lone Eagle,” and receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Inspired by Lindbergh’s feat, Frenchman Raymond Orteig created the “Orteig Prize” in 1919, offering $25,000 to the first person to successfully fly across the Atlantic Ocean solo nonstop. Despite the mental and physical challenges of the journey, Lindbergh was able to complete the flight successfully and received a ticker-tape parade in New York City upon his return to the United States. His Medal of Honor citation praised his heroic courage and skill as a navigator, as his journey demonstrated the possibility of ocean travel by aircraft.
Lindbergh, born in Detroit in 1902, began flying professionally at the age of 20 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1924 with the goal of becoming a pilot. Following his graduation from training, he became a mail pilot, stating that the life of an aviator seemed ideal, offering skill, adventure, and the freedom of the sky. Today, Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis can be seen at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., serving as a reminder of his groundbreaking solo transatlantic flight.
During his flight, Lindbergh pushed himself to stay awake by buzzing the surface of the ocean and keeping the windows of his plane open to feel the cold air. He encountered hallucinations during the journey, seeing “fog islands” and transparent forms that spoke to him and offered words of wisdom. Despite these challenges, Lindbergh’s safe arrival in France marked a significant achievement in aviation history, sparking widespread celebration and acclaim.
In 2023, a nonstop flight from New York to Paris lasts about seven and a half hours, a stark contrast to Lindbergh’s 33-and-a-half-hour solo crossing of the Atlantic in 1927. The legacy of his historic flight lives on, inspiring future generations of aviators and reminding us of the pioneering spirit and courage that defined Lindbergh’s journey. His contributions to aviation history and his role as a trailblazer in transatlantic flight continue to be celebrated and remembered today.
