Advertisement
Advertisement

Amelia Earhart - 120th Birthday

Updated Jun 26, 2025
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
Amelia Earhart - 120th Birthday
A photo of Amelia Earhart, born 120 years ago today on July 24th, 1897. Amelia Mary Earhart was not only an aviation trailblazer and author, but was also a pioneer who challenged gender stereotypes. During her 1937 attempt to circumnavigate the globe with navigator Fred Noonan, she was presumed lost and never found. But new evidence - including information from the National Archives (as well as a photo) - persuasively suggests that she landed in the Marshall Islands and was taken prisoner by the Japanese, dying 2 years later on Saipan.

One of Amelia Earhart's most famous flights, the 1928 transatlantic flight that began on June 17th 1928 and lasted 20 hours and 40 minutes has an interesting story. As Amelia was actually a last minute replacement for Amy Phipps Guest, she had not had any training on the particular type of plane that was used (one that relied on specific instrumentation to fly). Therefore pilot Wilmer Stultz flew with her to 'document flying time', however, ended up piloting the plane the entire length of the trip. Once the team landed in Wales Amelia was quoted as saying "Stultz did all the flying—had to. I was just baggage, like a sack of potatoes."

In 1932, Amelia Earhart set off alone, at the age of 34, from Newfoundland to a pasture in Culmore, Northern Ireland. She had intended to mimic Charles Lindbergh's solo flight to Paris but had run into major complications along the way.

Amelia had multiple flights during her career - all of which pushed the limits and were aimed to break long standing records which (men) had accomplished. With her celebrity status, Amelia constantly focused on gender equality, showing that women could obtain the same objectives as men.
Date & Place: in USA
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Amelia Earhart's birthday is this month - and she may have been found!
Photo of Cat Johnson Cat Johnson
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I was literally riveted the entire time, fantastic segment !!
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Yes! And so many eyewitness accounts to back up the story as well!!
Photo of Cat Johnson Cat Johnson
via Facebook
07/10/2017
AncientFaces - Yes !! The case made was incredible !! Those pieces of metal from the plane had me on edge for the results of the tests !!!
Photo of Tami Nowlin Nelson Tami Nowlin Nelson
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Very compelling. The witnesses have no reason to lie. My late father was a commissioned officer in the US Navy. He had a top secret clearance. When I asked him about her, he said she was a spy, captured by the Japanese and died in their custody.
Photo of Karin Moseley Karin Moseley
via Facebook
07/10/2017
For some reason, her story has never truly intrigued me...
Not sure why either...
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I think people are riveted because it's been a mystery . . .
Photo of Sharon Durfee Sharon Durfee
via Facebook
07/10/2017
funny no one ever mentions the navigator that was with her
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
The whole time, I was thinking the same thing. Fred Noonan was also captured - I guess it's the product of fame and gender bias. Noonan is an important part of the story and the photo of him was part of what made the story persuasive!
Photo of Christy Staton Christy Staton
via Facebook
07/10/2017
You must not have watched the show. Mr. Noonan was discussed throughout the entire thing.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Christy Staton He was - but peripherally. She was the focus. He had quite a background, too.
Photo of Marci Sturgis Marci Sturgis
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Yes I saw it
Photo of Tony Velasquez Tony Velasquez
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Most US expeditions are really spy junkets. Cameron really didn't just go out there looking for the titanic.
Photo of Tom Kaufman Tom Kaufman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
PURE Speculative propaganda!!!!!
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Certainly not definitive, Tom, but very, very persuasive. Did you actually watch it?
Photo of Tom Kaufman Tom Kaufman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
No, I don't watch the History Channel, too much speculative entertainment for me.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
As with anything, you have to use your mind when watching such things - and yet, there are facts and evidence in any of their shows. You just have to focus on them and make your own conclusions . . .
Photo of Tom Kaufman Tom Kaufman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I did a long time ago, I quit watching.
Photo of Linda Kachel Linda Kachel
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Tom Kaufman ...speculative propaganda??? hardly ... forensic analysis by experts verify the authenticity of the photo in question and eyewitness testimony ... a closed mind isn't helping you any
Photo of Tom Kaufman Tom Kaufman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Linda Kachel You believe that bullshit if you want to!
Photo of Tracy Jason Flippen Tracy Jason Flippen
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Tom Kaufman, I don't understand the anger you appear to be feeling. Am I missing something? It's really nothing of right or wrong value to me at this point, whether she was imprisoned or not, ya know? It's all about the mystery which it still is. My logical side says she's dead either way and anyone connected is long gone. The show was just adding another piece of mystery to add to her crazy story/demise. I was just wondering why you were so up about it. No big deal.
Photo of Tom Kaufman Tom Kaufman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
The History channel has been hyping these shows for so long, people actually believe them.
Photo of Kelly North Kelly North
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Tom Kaufman they've lost credibility with me too, for a number of reasons. Many of which you're probably familiar with:
Photo of Tom Kaufman Tom Kaufman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Kelly North They are masters at making you think that what they are showing is the gospel, all to just get better ratings and more money.
Photo of Sandra Easter-Marsden Sandra Easter-Marsden
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Very interesting program ! Glad I watched it !
Some in a dress?! Why is that a drawing point?
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Because you usually see her in pants - really unique in that era. Actually, some eyewitness reports were persuasive because they saw a Caucasian woman with short hair and in pants . . .
I know but, when she did promotional functions or celebrity appearances she wore a dress. She wore pants when she was working.
Photo of Karin Fulcher Karin Fulcher
via Facebook
07/10/2017
She was working, I truly doubt she had a dress with her when she crashed....
Agreed
Photo of Céline Wang Céline Wang
via Facebook
07/10/2017
why does media keep bringing her story back recently? here and there...even re-discover she didn't die in that fatal crash....
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Her birthday is this month . . .
Photo of Jonah Luhrs Jonah Luhrs
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Mine was in January, how do I get a show? Haha!
We can plan it now to air just in time.
Photo of Barbara Gulick Barbara Gulick
via Facebook
07/10/2017
And what is your problem with bringing her story back?
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Barbara Gulick I don't think that she has a problem - just a question.
Photo of Diane Italia Diane Italia
via Facebook
07/10/2017
It's history.
Photo of Mitchell Bjerke Mitchell Bjerke
via Facebook
07/11/2017
"predictive programming" and manipulation of sentiments against races. all for people to respond or not respond to unconstitutional actions by our government coming up in the near future.... just recall the david koresh, waco, texas home invasion and use of military action against private citizens without due process. use of lies and propaganda succeeded in controlling peoples responses and conditioned to allow the government to kill everyone in koresh's group. americans allowed it believing the speculative reports that child abuse was occurring and in a cult in a private home.... burned everyone alive. Americans believed everything we were told on TV.... This "process test" proved to the Tavistock type invisible college psychiatrist consultants that America would swallow another Pearl Harbor false flag big lie on American soil....
Photo of Bill Buschgen Bill Buschgen
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Tragic sad ending for her and navigator. I had trouble sleeping after watching.
Photo of Anna Baird-Hensley Anna Baird-Hensley
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Hmmm, the special offered just enough logic..that it saddened me that we didn't intercede.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
A constant debate - do the needs of the many outweigh the rights of the few??
Photo of Anna Baird-Hensley Anna Baird-Hensley
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Yes, probably. But it is hard. Only woman in prison of war camp...7 years...and we knew.
Photo of Marion LeBleu Marion LeBleu
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Very Interesting!
Photo of Cherryl Wilson Haley Cherryl Wilson Haley
via Facebook
07/10/2017
What difference does it make? Give it a rest..
Photo of Linda Kachel Linda Kachel
via Facebook
07/10/2017
you don't find an 80 yr gov't coverup concerning??
Photo of Phillip Myers Phillip Myers
via Facebook
07/10/2017
No disrespect to her but I am guessing she is dead and has been for a very long time. Whatever happened that many years ago is irrelevant today. And yes I have been to her home. Happy to honor her life.
Photo of Linda Kachel Linda Kachel
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Irrelevant?? I hardly think so ... just proves another case of the gov't covering up the ''inconvenient truth'' ... they went to a great deal of trouble to hide all the reports of her and noonan surviving the 'crash' and perpetuated the lie for 80 years ...
Photo of Phillip Myers Phillip Myers
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Politicians lying. I am personally shocked.
Photo of Rachel Bell Rachel Bell
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Can't even read the article. First time I tried I got one of the 'free phone' popups that wouldn't go away. Then the second time I tried I got the virus popups that don't go away. What a pain.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Rachel, that isn't on AncientFaces. We don't have popups. You should go directly to the page. If you're experiencing popups, it's either a setting on your computer or you're going to another website.
Photo of KellieAnne Smith Foreman KellieAnne Smith Foreman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I dont think its Gender Bias to not mention Fred - Men were already flying - a womans history does NOT HAVE to include men, Men have have LONG DOMINATED HISTORY and their wives have been ignored of vilified. They bring it up because ppl love a mystery, and it is relevant today due to the technology we have now. Lets stop the sexist assumptions, women could not own property then and had VERY limited job opp - let her have her place
Photo of Ash Weaver Ash Weaver
via Facebook
07/10/2017
There's still no proof it's her, only opinions.
Photo of Jonah Luhrs Jonah Luhrs
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Kathy Luhrs
Because the show was boring, here's the highlights.
Photo of Linda Irick Pennoyer Linda Irick Pennoyer
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I thought it was great. I've never believed they died in a crash. This just confirms what I always thought. As much as I love our country, I do believe they turned their back on them due to the Japanese problems at that time. Too many witnesses. It's sad but, history .
Photo of Deb Adams Deb Adams
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Rest well dear lady....(
Photo of Diane Orrvar Stone Diane Orrvar Stone
via Facebook
07/10/2017
She was my hero..fascinated by her !
Photo of Diane Italia Diane Italia
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Compelling evidence. I believe it. (Do wish they would have found bone fragments to seal the deal).
Photo of Christy Staton Christy Staton
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I agree. What could have possibly happened to the ones that were found and tested. Why would someone dispose of them? I would like to see THAT further investigated.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Probably misfiled or lost in a drawer somewhere. People make mistakes - like the misfiling of the photo. Not everything is a conscious conspiracy.
Photo of Karin Fulcher Karin Fulcher
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I enjoyed the program.
Photo of Linda Kachel Linda Kachel
via Facebook
07/10/2017
the program was a real eye-opener!! looks like pretty ironclad proof she was captured ... heard a story a long time ago that part of her flight was actually a spy mission, which is what the Japanese claimed when she and noonan were captured. Very compelling evidence ... couldn't help but wonder how much all that investigation cost ... photo analysis, facial recognition, metal analysis, flights to the Marshall Islands and beyond and back ... a fortune!
Photo of Damon Strong Damon Strong
via Facebook
07/10/2017
It doesn't air in Canada until this coming Sunday. I'll be watching, although I don't believe any of the new theories.
Photo of Kathryn Josephs Lundgren Kathryn Josephs Lundgren
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Yes, and it was interesting.
Photo of Morten Lykke Morten Lykke
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Photo of Erin Woempner Erin Woempner
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Only our Lord knows for sure.
Photo of Robin Swafford Robin Swafford
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I watched the program and I was intrigued by the presentation. I believe she did survive somewhere based on so many reports of people hearing her broadcast days after she disappeared. Some where the answer is out there.

I found the entire presentation believable and plausible BUT I find myself asking two very basic questions.
1) exactly WHO on a remote, native island even had a camera and why take the picture? If it was taken by a Japanese officer who could have had a camera - how in the world did it end up in US archives?

2) while relations were tense with the Japanese, we were NOT at war when she disappeared. Assuming they took her into custody, they quickly would have discovered she was a famous flyer and eventually would have begrudgingly figured out she probably was not a spy. Regardless, what would they gain from holding her prisoner for up to two years until she died or they executed her?
I'm having trouble understanding how the Japanese could justify holding her until death if we were not currently at war. Atrocities did and do happen. But I'm having trouble understanding what in the marshal islands the Japanese were trying to protect from "spying" is all.

That said, i enjoyed the information presented and it certainly was a presentation that opened the door to rethinking what happened based on weather conditions, wind patterns and fuel consumption.
Photo of Susan Birrell Susan Birrell
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Now, let's see what the cadaver dogs find. Maybe they should have gone there!
Photo of Marilyn D'Auria Marilyn D'Auria
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Yes, and the new information is compelling. It does appear that they have figured out what happened to her.
Photo of Karla Giedd Caputo Karla Giedd Caputo
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Yes - very compelling. .. I think they've finally got it figured out.
Photo of Sharon Smith Sharon Smith
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I was really hoping they would find some bones in that last grave & could do the DNA on them
Photo of Richard Dokken Richard Dokken
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Did not see this on History Channel (Canada). Disappointing 😟
Photo of Tom Kaufman Tom Kaufman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Check out the article on The Daily Beast, it seems to confirm my claim that the History channels claim was not true. Also NBC news posted a Tweet on the matter.
Photo of Desiree Rahman Desiree Rahman
via Facebook
07/10/2017
another hypothesis - we really don't know
Photo of Jan Mortimer Jan Mortimer
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I would be interested in knowing.
Photo of Jodi Bjerke Kingren Jodi Bjerke Kingren
via Facebook
07/10/2017
Mitchell!
Photo of Safi Augustine Safi Augustine
via Facebook
07/10/2017
I'm not sure that is her in the photograph that they found because the woman's hair is too dark. Amelia's hair was Auburn, a shade of red brown. Even in this photo you presented with the post, her hair does not look black but much lighter. The only thing that is weird is the pants. Women wearing pants at this time was an anomaly, but Amelia wore them anyway! So still more doubt and confusion.
My personal belief is that she and Noonan simply crashed into the ocean as has always been thought . The Japanese at that time frame had near zero reason to hold them as prisoners . And yes , i watched the history channel special . The usa and Japan are allies now and have been for decades . If they had info on this they would have told the Us about it by now .
Photo of David Lincoln Brooks David Lincoln Brooks
via Facebook
07/11/2017
I had always assumed she was GLBT, but apparently not.
Photo of Desiree Hanson Desiree Hanson
via Facebook
07/11/2017
US sacrificed her to protect codes
Photo of Desiree Hanson Desiree Hanson
via Facebook
07/11/2017
1 of my biggest heroes
Share this photo:

People tagged in this photo

Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas USA, and died at age 39 years old on July 2, 1937 at Pacific Ocean. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Amelia Earhart.
Age in photo:
38
Advertisement

Topic related photos

Explorers
Explorers
Brave adventurers & explorers who ventured around the globe, and some who went outside the world to explore space.
Humans have always been curious about what is over the next rise or what they can they discover about the world around them. Whether it's the land, the seas, or the skies, the urge to move beyond the ...
99 photos
Technology
Technology
Photos of the inventions, gadgets, machines & inventors of our modern technology taken over the past 150 years
From homes to farms to mines - to the moon. These are the everyday gadgets, utensils, and machines that we've used in daily life plus their inventors and the people who used them. I know of at least...
467 photos
1930s
1930s
The decade of the worldwide Great Depression
The 1930's were a decade of severe stress: the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, the rise of Nazism. But it was also the end of Prohibition, the beginning of the change of land management (poor farm ...
153k+ photos
Earhart
Last name
1.46k+ people12 photos
Advertisement

Followers

Daniel Pinna
I want to build a place where my son can meet his great-grandparents. My grandmother Marian Joyce (Benning) Kroetch always wanted to meet her great-grandchildren, but she died just a handful of years before my son's birth. So while she didn't have the opportunity to meet him, at least he will be able to know her. For more information about what we're building see About AncientFaces. For information on the folks who build and support the community see Daniel - Founder & Creator.
My father's side is full blood Sicilian and my mother's side is a combination of Welsh, Scottish, German and a few other European cultures. One of my more colorful (ahem black sheep) family members came over on the Mayflower. He was among the first to be hanged in the New World for a criminal offense he made while onboard the ship.
Becky Banuet
About me:I haven't shared any details about myself.
Suzanna James
About me:I haven't shared any details about myself.
Peggy Gmuca
About me:I haven't shared any details about myself.
Tracy Thurman
About me:I haven't shared any details about myself.

Show more

Advertisement
Back to Top