Amelia Earhart | Biography, Childhood, Disappearance, & Facts

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position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amelia-Earhart">Amelia Earhart</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/biography/Amelia-Earhart">Introduction & Top Questions</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref338631"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Amelia-Earhart#ref338631">Early life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref338632"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Amelia-Earhart#ref338632">Historic flights</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref338633"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/biography/Amelia-Earhart#ref338633">Final flight and disappearance</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/quotes/Amelia-Earhart">Quotes</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amelia-Earhart/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Amelia-Earhart">Quick Facts & Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amelia-Earhart/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/164578-050-634E4E33/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/188942" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/164578-004-3CAD0AA0/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" alt="Amelia Earhart" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/152769-004-1FD2E12E/Childhood-home-Amelia-Earhart-Atchison-Kansas.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/161059" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/152769-004-1FD2E12E/Childhood-home-Amelia-Earhart-Atchison-Kansas.jpg" alt="Atchison: childhood home of Amelia Earhart" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/164802-050-8514C49E/Amelia-Earhart-cockpit-airplane-Lockheed-Electra.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/228905" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/164802-004-7F7BCAB1/Amelia-Earhart-cockpit-airplane-Lockheed-Electra.jpg" alt="Amelia Earhart" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/75508-050-FCDFE7FF/Amelia-Earhart-woman-flight-25-1932.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/69358" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/75508-004-016C6328/Amelia-Earhart-woman-flight-25-1932.jpg" alt="Amelia Earhart" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/154001-050-417E8680/Memorial-Amelia-Earhart-role-airplane-Spirit-of.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/163753" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/154001-004-7ED2BE06/Memorial-Amelia-Earhart-role-airplane-Spirit-of.jpg" alt="Harbour Grace" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/79813-050-3CF3C6E4/Amelia-Earhart-Cross-of-Knight-French-Legion-1932.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/97106" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/79813-004-69AD4F9A/Amelia-Earhart-Cross-of-Knight-French-Legion-1932.jpg" alt="Earhart, Amelia" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/164576-050-40FF17F0/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/222110" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/164576-004-6E3ECC6F/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" alt="Earhart, Amelia" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/164577-050-4AEF5C99/Amelia-Earhart-reporters-1937.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/222111" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/164577-004-34D030B8/Amelia-Earhart-reporters-1937.jpg" alt="Earhart, Amelia" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/12168-050-A90FFD15/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/10234" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/12168-004-327390FF/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" alt="Amelia Earhart" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.ameliaearhart.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Official Licensing Site of Amelia Earhart</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/earhart-timeline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Public Broadcasting Service - American Experience - Chronobiography of Amelia Earhart</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/amelia-earhart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Iowa State University - Archives of Women's Political Communication - Amelia Earhart</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/24/us/amelia-earhart-day-facts-trnd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">CNN - Amelia Earhart broke aviation records and empowered generations of women pilots</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/amelia-earhart" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum - Amelia Earhart</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/about/history/pioneers/amelia_earhart.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Federal Aviation Administration - Amelia Earhart</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.kshs.org/index.php?url=kansapedia/amelia-earhart/12041" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Kansas Historical Society - Kansapedia - Biography of Amelia Earhart</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/amelia-earhart" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">National Women's History Museum - Biography of Amelia Earhart</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Amelia-Earhart/353073" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amelia Earhart - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Amelia-Earhart/274101" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amelia Earhart - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 d-none mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10 px-sm-5 px-md-10 js-header-ai-ask-button"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Amelia Mary Earhart</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written and fact-checked by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-02-11T00:00:00CST" >Feb 11, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amelia-Earhart/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 module-spacing js-inline-ai-ask-button p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>In full: </dt> <dd>Amelia Mary Earhart</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Born: </dt> <dd>July 24, 1897, <a href="/place/Atchison-Kansas">Atchison</a>, <a href="/place/Kansas">Kansas</a>, U.S.</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Disappeared: </dt> <dd>July 2, 1937, near Howland Island, central Pacific Ocean</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Amelia-Earhart"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What did Amelia Earhart accomplish? <\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Amelia Earhart was one of the world\u2019s most celebrated aviators and was the first woman to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/aviation\">fly<\/a> solo across the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Atlantic-Ocean\">Atlantic Ocean<\/a> (1932). In addition to her piloting feats, Earhart was known for encouraging women to reject constrictive social norms and to pursue various opportunities, especially in the field of aviation. " } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What is Amelia Earhart remembered for? <\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Amelia Earhart was famous during her life for her numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/aviation\">aviation<\/a> records, most notably being the first woman to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/aviation\">fly<\/a> solo across the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Atlantic-Ocean\">Atlantic Ocean<\/a> (1932). The mysterious disappearance of Earhart and her copilot in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Pacific-Ocean\">Pacific Ocean<\/a> during their attempt to fly around the world (1937) captured the public\u2019s imagination and generated numerous theories. " } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What were Amelia Earhart\u2019s jobs? <\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Before she became famous, Amelia Earhart was a nurse\u2019s aid tending to injured <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/event\/World-War-I\">World War I<\/a> soldiers in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Toronto\">Toronto<\/a> and was a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/social-service\">social worker<\/a> at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/social-settlement\">settlement house<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Boston\">Boston<\/a>. When she became a celebrity for her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/technology\/aviation\">aviation<\/a> feats, she began delivering lectures and writing books about her flights. " } } ] } </script> <div class="top-questions qa-accordion d-flex flex-column module-spacing"><div class="font-weight-bold font-14 mb-5"> Top Questions </div><div id="intent-accordion" class="md-intent-accordion"><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="1"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What did Amelia Earhart accomplish? </div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Amelia Earhart was one of the world’s most celebrated aviators and was the first woman to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/aviation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">fly</a> solo across the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Atlantic Ocean</a> (1932). In addition to her piloting feats, Earhart was known for encouraging women to reject constrictive social norms and to pursue various opportunities, especially in the field of aviation. </p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="2"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What is Amelia Earhart remembered for? </div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Amelia Earhart was famous during her life for her numerous <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/aviation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">aviation</a> records, most notably being the first woman to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/aviation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">fly</a> solo across the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Atlantic Ocean</a> (1932). The mysterious disappearance of Earhart and her copilot in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Pacific-Ocean" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pacific Ocean</a> during their attempt to fly around the world (1937) captured the public’s imagination and generated numerous theories. </p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="3"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What were Amelia Earhart’s jobs? </div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Before she became famous, Amelia Earhart was a nurse’s aid tending to injured <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">World War I</a> soldiers in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Toronto" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Toronto</a> and was a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-service" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">social worker</a> at a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-settlement" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">settlement house</a> in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Boston" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Boston</a>. When she became a celebrity for her <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/aviation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">aviation</a> feats, she began delivering lectures and writing books about her flights. </p></div></div></div></div></div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref26401"></span>Amelia Earhart</strong> (born July 24, 1897, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atchison-Kansas" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Atchison</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kansas" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Kansas</a>, U.S.—disappeared July 2, 1937, near Howland Island, central Pacific Ocean) was an American aviator, one of the world’s most celebrated, who was the first woman to fly solo across the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Atlantic Ocean</a>. Her disappearance during a flight around the world in 1937 became an enduring mystery, fueling much speculation.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref338631"> <h2 class="h1">Early life</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100 assembly-container"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="161059" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/152769-004-1FD2E12E/Childhood-home-Amelia-Earhart-Atchison-Kansas.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/175680/161059"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/152769-004-1FD2E12E/Childhood-home-Amelia-Earhart-Atchison-Kansas.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/152769-004-1FD2E12E/Childhood-home-Amelia-Earhart-Atchison-Kansas.jpg?w=300" alt="Atchison: childhood home of Amelia Earhart" data-width="550" data-height="402" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/152769-004-1FD2E12E/Childhood-home-Amelia-Earhart-Atchison-Kansas.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/161059">Atchison: childhood home of Amelia Earhart</a><span>Childhood home of Amelia Earhart, Atchison, Kansas.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Earhart’s father was a railroad lawyer, and her mother came from an <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="affluent" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affluent" data-type="MW">affluent</a> family. While still a child, Earhart displayed an adventurous and independent nature for which she would later become known. After the death of her grandparents, the family struggled financially amid her father’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/alcoholism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">alcoholism</a>. The Earharts moved often, and she completed <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/high-school" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">high school</a> in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Chicago" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Chicago</a> in 1916. After her mother received her inheritance, Earhart was able to attend the Ogontz School in Rydal, Pennsylvania. However, during a visit to her sister in Canada, Amelia developed an interest in caring for soldiers wounded in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">World War I</a>. In 1918 she left <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/junior-college" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">junior college</a> to become a nurse’s aide in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Toronto" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Toronto</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h3"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref338632"> <h2 class="h1">Historic flights</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100 assembly-container"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="228905" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/164802-050-8514C49E/Amelia-Earhart-cockpit-airplane-Lockheed-Electra.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/175680/228905"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/164802-050-8514C49E/Amelia-Earhart-cockpit-airplane-Lockheed-Electra.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/164802-050-8514C49E/Amelia-Earhart-cockpit-airplane-Lockheed-Electra.jpg?w=300" alt="Amelia Earhart" data-width="1600" data-height="1275" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/02/164802-050-8514C49E/Amelia-Earhart-cockpit-airplane-Lockheed-Electra.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/228905">Amelia Earhart</a><span>Amelia Earhart in the cockpit of a Lockheed Electra airplane.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">After the war, Earhart entered the premed program at <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Columbia-University" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Columbia University</a> in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-City" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">New York City</a> but left in 1920 after her parents insisted that she live with them in California. There she went on her first <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/airplane" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">airplane</a> ride in 1920, an experience that prompted her to take flying lessons. In 1921 she bought her first plane, a Kinner Airster, and two years later she earned her pilot’s license. In the mid-1920s Earhart moved to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Massachusetts" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Massachusetts</a>, where she became a social worker at the Denison House, a settlement home for immigrants in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Boston" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Boston</a>. She also continued to pursue her interest in aviation.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/famous-deaths-in-history-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/21/175321-131-54606607/Marilyn-Monroe-Sterling-Hayden-The-Asphalt-Jungle.jpg" alt="Asphalt Jungle (1950) Movie scene of actress Marilyn Monroe as Angela Phinlay in an early film career appearence with actor Sterling Hayden as Dix Handley in movie directed by John Huston." class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Famous Deaths in History Quiz </div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">During this time promoters sought to have a woman fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and in April 1928 Earhart was selected for the flight. Some <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="speculated" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/speculated" data-type="EB">speculated</a> that the decision was partly based on her resemblance to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Lindbergh" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Charles Lindbergh</a>, who had become the first man to fly nonstop solo across the Atlantic the previous year. On June 17, 1928, Earhart departed Trepassey, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Newfoundland-and-Labrador" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Newfoundland</a>, Canada, as a passenger aboard a seaplane piloted by Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon. After landing at Burry Port, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Wales" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Wales</a>, on June 18, Earhart became an international celebrity. She wrote about the flight in <em>20 Hrs. 40 Min.</em> (1928) and undertook a lecture tour across the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">United States</a>. Much of the publicity was handled by publisher <span id="ref1078855"></span>George Palmer Putnam, who had helped organize the historic flight. The couple married in 1931, but Earhart continued her career under her maiden name. That year she also piloted an <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/autogiro" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">autogiro</a> to a record-setting <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="altitude" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/altitude" data-type="EB">altitude</a> of 18,415 feet (5,613 metres).</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="69358" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/75508-050-FCDFE7FF/Amelia-Earhart-woman-flight-25-1932.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/175680/69358"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/75508-050-FCDFE7FF/Amelia-Earhart-woman-flight-25-1932.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/75508-050-FCDFE7FF/Amelia-Earhart-woman-flight-25-1932.jpg?w=300" alt="Amelia Earhart" data-width="1282" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/75508-050-FCDFE7FF/Amelia-Earhart-woman-flight-25-1932.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/69358">Amelia Earhart</a><span>Amelia Earhart, early 1930s. </span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="163753" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/154001-050-417E8680/Memorial-Amelia-Earhart-role-airplane-Spirit-of.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/175680/163753"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/154001-050-417E8680/Memorial-Amelia-Earhart-role-airplane-Spirit-of.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/154001-050-417E8680/Memorial-Amelia-Earhart-role-airplane-Spirit-of.jpg?w=300" alt="Harbour Grace" data-width="800" data-height="539" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/154001-050-417E8680/Memorial-Amelia-Earhart-role-airplane-Spirit-of.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/163753">Harbour Grace</a><span>Memorial to Amelia Earhart (left) and the <em>Spirit of Harbour Grace</em> airplane commemorating the role of Harbour Grace in transatlantic flights, Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Determined to justify the renown that her 1928 crossing had brought her, Earhart crossed the Atlantic alone on May 20–21, 1932. Her flight in her Lockheed Vega from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Harbour-Grace" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Harbour Grace</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Newfoundland-and-Labrador" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Newfoundland</a>, to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Londonderry-city-and-district-Northern-Ireland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Londonderry</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Northern-Ireland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Northern Ireland</a>, was completed in a record time of 14 hours 56 minutes despite a number of problems. She notably experienced mechanical difficulties and inclement weather and was unable to land in her scheduled destination of Paris. Afterward she published <em>The Fun of It</em> (1932), in which she wrote about her life and interest in flying. Earhart then undertook a series of flights across the United States.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100 assembly-container"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="97106" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/79813-050-3CF3C6E4/Amelia-Earhart-Cross-of-Knight-French-Legion-1932.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/175680/97106"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/79813-050-3CF3C6E4/Amelia-Earhart-Cross-of-Knight-French-Legion-1932.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/79813-050-3CF3C6E4/Amelia-Earhart-Cross-of-Knight-French-Legion-1932.jpg?w=300" alt="Earhart, Amelia" data-width="1195" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/79813-050-3CF3C6E4/Amelia-Earhart-Cross-of-Knight-French-Legion-1932.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/97106">Earhart, Amelia</a><span>Amelia Earhart after being awarded the Cross of Knight of the French Legion of Honour, 1932.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In addition to her piloting feats, Earhart was known for encouraging women to reject constrictive social <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="norms" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/norms" data-type="EB">norms</a> and to pursue various opportunities, especially in the field of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/aviation" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">aviation</a>. In 1929 she helped found an organization of female pilots that later became known as the Ninety-Nines. Earhart served as its first president. In addition, she debuted a functional clothing line in 1933, which was designed “for the woman who lives actively.”</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100 assembly-container"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="222110" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/164576-050-40FF17F0/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/175680/222110"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/164576-050-40FF17F0/Amelia-Earhart.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/164576-050-40FF17F0/Amelia-Earhart.jpg?w=300" alt="Earhart, Amelia" data-width="1372" data-height="1600" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/164576-050-40FF17F0/Amelia-Earhart.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/222110">Earhart, Amelia</a><span>Amelia Earhart.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In 1935 Earhart made history with the first solo flight from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Hawaii-island-Hawaii" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hawaii</a> to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">California</a>, a hazardous route of 2,408 miles (3,875 km), which was about 500 miles longer than her 1932 crossing of the Atlantic. She departed from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Honolulu" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Honolulu</a> on January 11 and, after 17 hours and 7 minutes, landed in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Oakland-California" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Oakland</a> the following day. Later that year she became the first person to fly solo from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Los-Angeles-California" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Los Angeles</a> to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mexico-City" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mexico City</a>.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=august-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h4"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref338633"> <h2 class="h1">Final flight and disappearance</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100 assembly-container"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="222111" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/164577-050-4AEF5C99/Amelia-Earhart-reporters-1937.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/175680/222111"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/164577-050-4AEF5C99/Amelia-Earhart-reporters-1937.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/164577-050-4AEF5C99/Amelia-Earhart-reporters-1937.jpg?w=300" alt="Earhart, Amelia" data-width="1600" data-height="1220" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/164577-050-4AEF5C99/Amelia-Earhart-reporters-1937.jpg" data-href="/media/1/175680/222111">Earhart, Amelia</a><span>Amelia Earhart (centre) talking to reporters, 1937.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In 1937 Earhart set out to fly around the world, with <span id="ref1078857"></span>Fred Noonan as her navigator, in a twin-engine Lockheed Electra. On June 1 the duo began their 29,000-mile (47,000-km) journey, departing from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Miami-Florida" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Miami</a> and heading east. Over the following weeks they made various refueling stops before reaching <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lae" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lae</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Guinea" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">New Guinea</a>, on June 29. At that point, Earhart and Noonan had traveled some 22,000 miles (35,000 km).</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">They departed on July 2, headed for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Howland-Island" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Howland Island</a>, approximately 2,600 miles (4,200 km) away. The flight was expected to be <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="arduous" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arduous" data-type="MW">arduous</a>, especially since the tiny coral atoll was difficult to locate. To help with navigation, two brightly lit U.S. ships were stationed to mark the route. Earhart was also in <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="intermittent" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermittent" data-type="MW">intermittent</a> radio contact with the <em>Itasca</em>, a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-States-Coast-Guard" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">U.S. Coast Guard</a> cutter near Howland. Late in the journey, Earhart radioed that the plane was running out of fuel. About an hour later she announced, “We are running north and south.” That was the last transmission received by the <em>Itasca</em>. The plane was believed to have gone down some 100 miles (160 km) from the island, and an extensive search was undertaken to find Earhart and Noonan. However, on July 19, 1937, the operation was called off, and the pair was declared lost at sea. Throughout the trip, Earhart had sent her husband various materials, including letter and diary entries, and these were published in <em>Last Flight</em> (1937).</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Earhart’s mysterious disappearance captured the public’s imagination and generated numerous theories and claims. Notably, some believed that she and Noonan had crashed on a different island after failing to locate Howland, and others posited that they were captured by the Japanese. However, no definitive evidence was found for such claims. Most experts believe that Earhart’s plane crashed in the Pacific near Howland after running out of fuel. A fixture in popular <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="culture" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture" data-type="MW">culture</a>, she was the subject of numerous books and movies.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="md-signature font-12"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span><span class="md-signature font-12">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/contributor/encyclopaedia-britannica/12989892">Encyclopaedia Britannica</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-simplify-root"></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":175680,"pageLength":968,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-134/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.134.26"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-134/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.134.26' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"D","adLeg":"C","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"BIO_MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true,"hasAiTopQuestions":false,"hasSimplifyButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Amelia Earhart | Biography, Childhood, Disappearance, & Facts | Britannica