Charles Lindbergh

The 1920's

When people think about the 1920's, they think about a decade of decadence, moral decay or loss of innocence. The first thing that comes to people's minds when they think of the 1920's is corruption and exploitation of children because of the Industrial Revolution causing out country so many problems. But there is something people don't know, the 1920's was a decade of miracles. It was a decade of creativity, inventions and the realization of the "American Dream". But most importantly the 1920's was a decade of progress. It was a decade where men became heroes in order to help our country. Charles Lindbergh is an obvious example of a hero. Charles Lindbergh was one of those men who became a hero and transcended his traditional values to try new inventions, risking his life in the attempt of progress for his country.

Childhood

Charles Lindbergh was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 4, 1902. He grew up in a farm near Little Falls, Minnesota. His father was Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Sr, a lawyer and eventual congressman from Minnesota from 1907 to 1917, his mother was Evangeline Lodge Land. His father was a well-known congressman because he opposed to World War I.

Adolescence

At the age of 18, Lindbergh entered the University Of Wisconsin to study engineering, but this was not his passion, his passion was planes and aviation. After two years of engineering, Lindbergh dropped out of school to become a barnstormer, a pilot who performed stunts at fairs. In 1924, at the age of 22, Lindbergh joined the United States Army in order to be trained as an Army Air Service Reserve pilot.

Becoming a hero

In 1919, a New York City hotel owner named Raymond Orteig offered 25,000 dollars to the aviator who flew from New York City to Paris nonstop. Many talented and experienced aviators have tried to accomplish this task but most of them died or have gotten drastically injured in the attempt. Lindbergh believed he could win it if he had the right plane. Lindbergh was sponsored by Aeronautical Company of San Diego in order to build his desired plane. He named his plane the Spirit of St. Louis. On May 20, Lindbergh took off in the Spirit of St. Louis from Roosevelt Field near New York City, at 7:52 am. He landed at Le Bourget Field near Paris on May 21 at 10:21 pm (5:21 pm New York Time). He had flown more than 3,600 miles in 33 and a half hours. This is how Lindbergh gave us progress, he proved the world wrong, nobody else accomplished anything compared to what he did, and by doing it he made us believe that our country could get better.

Quotes

"I have seen the science I worshiped, and the aircraft I loved, destroying the civilization I expected them to serve",Charles Lindbergh said after the bombing of Pearl Harbor done by the Japanese.

"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane", Charles Lindbergh said expressing his passionate feelings about planes and aviation.

"Is he alone who has courage on his right hand and faith on his left hand?", Charles Lindbergh said expressing about himself and how he was not alone because of his courage and faith.

www.charleslindbergh.com

www.acepilots.com/lindbergh.html

www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/volindbergh.htm