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Charles Augustus Lindbergh is Born
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Shows Mechanical Ability
Lindbergh showed this interest throughout his childhood. -
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Raymond Orteig Prize
In 1919, Raymond Ortieg, a New York hotel owner, promised a $25,000 reward for the first person to fly nonstop from New York City to Paris. Many pilots tried, and were either injured or killed. By 1927, no one had done it yet. -
Entered the University of Wisconsin
He went to the University of Wisconsin to study engineering. -
Left the University of Wisconsin
He left the University of Wisconsin to become a barnstormer, or someone who preformed dangerous plane stunts at fairs. -
Enlisted in US Army
Lindbergh enlisted in the US Army so he could be trained as a Army Air Service Reserve pilot. -
Graduated Flight School
He graduated flight-training school at the top of the class. -
Tested the Spirit of St. Louis
In 1927, Lindbergh believed he could do the Orteig challenge if he had the right plane. He convinced nine St. Louis business men to pay for the cost of the plane. Lindbergh chose the Ryan Aeronautical Company of San Diego to build the special plane. When completed, he named it the Spirit of St. Louis. To test it, he flew from San Diego to New York City. It took him 20 hours and 21 minutes, which was a record. -
Journey Begins
Took of from Roosevelt Field near New York City and landed 33 1/2 hours later on Le Bourget Field near Paris. This thrilled people throughout the world. This made him remembered forever and how he is still relevant. He received the Transgressional Medal of Honor and the Distiguished Flying Cross for this and many other awards. -
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Artificial Heart
He developed an artificial heart for Alexis Carrel. -
German Medal of Honor
In Europe, he was invited to France and Germany for a tour of the aircraft industries in each country respectively. Lindbergh was very impressed with Germany's aircrafts. Hermann Goering offered him the German Medal of Honor for this. -
50 Combat Missions
Went to Pacific war area to be an adviser of the US Army and Navy. He flew 50 combat missions even though he was a civilian. He also developed new cruise control techniques that made fighter planes more capable. -
Conservation Efforts
In the 1960's, he spoke out for the protection of humpback and blue whales. He opposed the development of supersonic transport planes because he thought it would have deleterious effects on the atmosphere. -
Charles Lindbergh Dies
Charles Lindbergh dies of cancer in his home on Hawaii.
