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This Week in HistoryThis Week in History: Week 21 (21 May 1927)

First Solo Non-Stop Atlantic Flight

Charles Lindbergh becomes the first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh became the first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean. He flew a plane named The Spirit of St Louis from New York to Paris. The flight took thirty-three and a half hours and covered a distance of 3,600 miles. A huge crowd of over 100,000 people welcomed Lindbergh on his arrival in France. Soon after completing the flight, he returned to the USA and became a national hero in his home country.

solo (adverb): alone; unaccompanied; without another person
flight (noun): a journey or trip by air; an act of flying
non-stop (adverb): without stopping or pausing
cover (verb): travel (a specified distance)
hero (noun): someone who is admired for their courage or outstanding achievements

Postage stamp - Spirit of St Louis
Issued in 1927 as a tribute to Charles Lindbergh, this USA postage stamp depicts Lindbergh's plane Spirit of St Louis and (dotted line) the "Great Circle Route" that he flew from New York to Paris.

Mini Quiz

1. During his flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Charles A. Lindbergh flew
a) in an easterly direction
b) in a westerly direction
c) in a southerly direction

Show answer

a

2. A huge crowd of over 100,000 people watched as Lindbergh's plane
a) took off
b) landed
c) flew across the Atlantic

Show answer

b

3. Lindbergh became a national hero in
a) the Atlantic Ocean
b) France
c) the USA

Show answer

c

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Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.