Early Life and Education of Amelia Earhart: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Amelia Earhart. A timeline of key moments.

Amelia Earhart was a pioneering American aviator who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe. A champion of women's rights and commercial aviation, she was the first woman to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic. Earhart set numerous aviation records, authored best-selling books about her experiences, and helped found The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots. Her disappearance cemented her status as a global cultural icon, symbolizing courage and the pursuit of dreams.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

July 24, 1897: Birth in Atchison, Kansas

Amelia Mary Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas, to Samuel "Edwin" Stanton Earhart and Amelia "Amy" (née Otis).

1899: Birth of sister, Grace Muriel Earhart

In 1899, Amelia Earhart's sister, Grace Muriel Earhart, was born. She was two years younger than Amelia.

1904: Construction of Home-Made Roller Coaster

In 1904, Amelia Earhart built a homemade roller coaster with her uncle's help and famously exclaimed "Oh, Pidge, it's just like flying!" after her first ride.

1907: Family Transfer to Des Moines, Iowa

In 1907, Edwin Earhart's job led to a transfer to Des Moines, Iowa, relocating the Earhart family.

1909: Family Reunited in Des Moines

In 1909, the Earhart family was reunited in Des Moines, and the children were enrolled in public school for the first time.

1912: Death of Maternal Grandfather

In 1912, Amelia Earhart's maternal grandfather, Alfred Gideon Otis, passed away.

1914: Edwin Forced to Retire, Grandmother's Death

In 1914, Edwin Earhart was forced to retire due to alcoholism, and Amelia's grandmother Amelia Otis died, leaving an estate in a trust for her daughter.

1915: Family moves to St. Paul, Minnesota

In 1915, Edwin Earhart found work in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Amelia entered Central High School. They moved to Chicago, where Amelia enrolled in Hyde Park High School.

1916: Graduation from Hyde Park High School

In 1916, Amelia Earhart graduated from Hyde Park High School and continued to aspire to a future career by tracking successful women in male-dominated fields.

1917: Nursing in Toronto, Canada

During Christmas vacation in 1917, Amelia Earhart visited her sister in Toronto, Canada, and began working as a nurse's aide at Spadina Military Hospital, where she developed an interest in flying.

December 1918: Discharge From Spadina Military Hospital

In December 1918, Amelia Earhart was discharged from Spadina Military Hospital after contracting the Spanish flu and suffering from pneumonia and maxillary sinusitis.

1919: Enrolls in Smith College

In 1919, Amelia Earhart prepared to enter Smith College, but later enrolled in a course of medical studies at Columbia University.

December 28, 1920: First Encounter With Flight

On December 28, 1920, Amelia Earhart attended an "aerial meet" and expressed interest in flying lessons, marking a pivotal moment in her life.

January 3, 1921: First Flying Lesson

On January 3, 1921, Amelia Earhart had her first flying lesson with Neta Snook at Kinner Field, marking the beginning of her aviation career.

1924: Sinus Operation and Career Ventures

In 1924, Amelia Earhart's sinus problems worsened, leading to another unsuccessful operation. She also explored other ventures such as photography after exhausting her inheritance.

1924: Transcontinental Trip

In 1924, following her parents' divorce, Amelia Earhart drove her mother across the country in "Yellow Peril" from California, stopping in the western United States and Canada, before ending the trip in Boston, Massachusetts.

1925: Employment at Denison House

In 1925, Amelia Earhart secured employment as a teacher and later as a social worker at Denison House in Boston, while residing in Medford, Massachusetts.

1927: First Flight out of Dennison Airport

In 1927, Amelia Earhart piloted the first official flight out of Dennison Airport in Quincy, Massachusetts, demonstrating her growing involvement in aviation.

1927: Dole Air Race

In 1927, participants of the Dole Air Race attempted the transoceanic route that Amelia Earhart flew in 1935.

June 17, 1928: First Woman to Cross the Atlantic as Passenger

On June 17, 1928, Amelia Earhart departed from Trepassey Harbor, Newfoundland, as a passenger aboard a Fokker F.VIIb/3m named Friendship, landing in South Wales after 20 hours and 40 minutes, becoming the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by airplane.

June 19, 1928: Arrival in England

On June 19, 1928, Amelia Earhart flew to Woolston, Southampton, England, where she received a welcome. She then flew an Avro Avian aircraft owned by Lady Mary Heath.

August 1928: Solo Flight Across North America

In August 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the North American continent and back, marking a significant achievement in her aviation career.

November 23, 1928: Broken Engagement

On November 23, 1928, Amelia Earhart broke off her engagement to Samuel Chapman.

1928: Press Dubs Earhart "Lady Lindy"

In 1928, after becoming famous, the press dubbed Amelia Earhart "Lady Lindy". She also began an exhausting lecture tour.

1929: Women's Air Derby Participation

In 1929, Amelia Earhart participated in the Women's Air Derby, finishing third in the heavy division after a competitor's accident. The race started on August 18 and ended on August 26.

1929: Promotion of Air Travel

In 1929, Amelia Earhart was appointed by Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) along with Margaret Bartlett Thornton to promote air travel, particularly for women, and helped set up the Ludington Airline, the first regional shuttle service.

1929: Recognition by Experienced Pilots

In 1929, Amelia Earhart's piloting skills and professionalism were acknowledged by experienced professional pilots, highlighting her growing reputation in the aviation community.

1929: Putnam's Divorce

In 1929, George Putnam, later Amelia Earhart's husband, got divorced.

1929: Meeting of Female Pilots

In 1929, following the Women's Air Derby, Amelia Earhart called a meeting of female pilots.

1930: Set Women's Aviation Records

Between 1930 and 1935, Amelia Earhart set seven women's speed-and-distance aviation records in various aircraft.

1930: Official of the National Aeronautic Association

In 1930, Amelia Earhart became an official of the National Aeronautic Association and promoted the establishment of separate women's records.

1930: First President of Ninety-Nines

In 1930, Amelia Earhart became the first president of the Ninety-Nines, an organization of female pilots.

1930: Death of Father, Samuel "Edwin" Stanton Earhart

In 1930, Amelia Earhart's father, Samuel "Edwin" Stanton Earhart, died.

February 7, 1931: Marriage to George P. Putnam

On February 7, 1931, Amelia Earhart married her public relations manager George P. Putnam in Noank, Connecticut.

April 8, 1931: World Altitude Record

On April 8, 1931, Amelia Earhart set a world altitude record of 18,415 feet (5,613 m) flying a Pitcairn PCA-2 autogyro borrowed from the Beech-Nut Chewing Gum company.

May 20, 1932: Solo Transatlantic Flight

On May 20, 1932, Amelia Earhart took off from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, and landed in a pasture north of Derry, Northern Ireland, completing her solo transatlantic flight in 14 hours and 56 minutes.

1932: Helped by Isabel Ebel

In 1932, Isabel Ebel helped Amelia Earhart, leading to Earhart helping her in 1934.

November 1934: Fire at the Putnam Residence

In late November 1934, while Amelia Earhart was away on a speaking tour, a fire broke out at the Putnam residence in Rye, destroying many family treasures and her personal mementos.

1934: Intervention for Isabel Ebel

In 1934, Amelia Earhart helped Isabel Ebel be accepted as the first woman student of aeronautical engineering at New York University (NYU).

1934: Refusal to Open Race

In 1934, Amelia Earhart refused to fly Mary Pickford to Cleveland to open the Bendix Trophy Race, after women were banned from competing.

1934: Considering Business Partnership

Since late 1934, Amelia Earhart had been considering a business partnership with Paul Mantz.

January 11, 1935: Solo Flight from Honolulu to Oakland

On January 11, 1935, Amelia Earhart became the first aviator to fly solo from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Oakland, California, using a Lockheed 5C Vega.

April 19, 1935: Solo Flight to Mexico City

On April 19, 1935, Amelia Earhart flew solo from Los Angeles to Mexico City in her Lockheed Vega, nicknamed "old Bessie, the fire horse".

June 1935: Purchase of House in Toluca Lake

In June 1935, at Amelia Earhart's urging, George Putnam purchased a house in Toluca Lake, a celebrity enclave in the San Fernando Valley.

September 1935: Establishment of Flying School

In September 1935, Amelia Earhart and Paul Mantz established the Earhart-Mantz Flying School, operated through Mantz's aviation company, United Air Services, teaching instrument flying using Link Trainers.

1935: Contemplating a Circumnavigation

By 1935, Amelia Earhart was contemplating a circumnavigation of the globe near its waistline and needing a new aircraft for the venture.

1935: Visiting Faculty Member at Purdue University

In 1935, Amelia Earhart joined Purdue University as a visiting faculty member, advising in aeronautical engineering and counseling female students.

1935: Participation in the Bendix Trophy Race

In 1935, Amelia Earhart participated in the Bendix Trophy long-distance air race, finishing fifth, with her Lockheed Vega being outclassed by purpose-built aircraft. The race was marked by a competitor's death and challenging weather conditions.

July 1936: Lockheed Electra Built

In July 1936, Lockheed Aircraft Company built the Lockheed Electra 10E airplane for Amelia Earhart, funded by Purdue University, fitted with extra fuel tanks and other modifications. Earhart named the twin-engine monoplane her "flying laboratory".

1936: Planning Around the World Flight

Early in 1936, Amelia Earhart started planning to fly around the world, aiming to become the first woman to do so, covering a distance of 29,000 miles (47,000 km) along an equatorial route.

1937: Disappearance During Circumnavigation Attempt

In 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared near Howland Island while attempting a circumnavigational flight of the globe.

1940: Vice President of National Airways

By 1940, Amelia Earhart had been appointed Vice President of National Airways (later Northeast Airlines), further cementing her influence in the aviation industry.