Today, our Nation proudly celebrates the 94th anniversary of Amelia Earhart's first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean-an extraordinary achievement and testament to the bravery, ingenuity, and unyielding spirit that define the American character.
There are few Americans who embody the bold ambition of our Nation more than Amelia Earhart. Throughout her life, she pushed the boundaries of what was possible in aviation, setting altitude and speed records shortly after obtaining her pilot's license and becoming a household name in 1928 as the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air as a passenger of a two-man crew. Even with these extraordinary accomplishments, her determination knew no limits, and she vowed to conquer that same ocean alone.
On May 20, 1932-5 years to the day after Charles Lindbergh's legendary transatlantic flight-Earhart soared into history. Battling exhaustion, a leaking fuel tank, and an engine erupting in fire, Earhart held her course with incredible resolve. Though fierce weather drove her off her intended path to Paris, she brought her plane down in an Irish pasture nearly 15 hours after departing the shores of Newfoundland, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
The same indominable drive that carried Earhart across the vast and unforgiving ocean 94 years ago continues to draw the eyes of our Nation skyward. Under my leadership, we are paving the way for a new Golden Age of air travel, championing the development of supersonic flight and advanced aircraft, which will secure America's place at the forefront of technological advancement. As the most transparent Administration in American history, I also ordered the release of Government records related to Amelia Earhart's disappearance. Just as Earhart defied the limits of human achievement, our Nation is defying the limits of what is possible every day, driving the momentum that will keep America the world's undisputed engine of innovation and prosperity for centuries to come.
As our Nation celebrates 250 years of independence, we honor those bold American pioneers, who dared to reach beyond what others thought possible. Earhart's legacy will forever endure as a reminder that the American spirit has never been content to stand still-it is restless, it is fearless, and it is forever fixed on the horizons of tomorrow. Together, as we mark the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's historic feat, we recommit ourselves to the same relentless passion that drove her forward, confident in the belief that the greatest chapter of the American story is still to come.
