During the 1920's, one of the most exciting events that occurred was the solo flight made by Charles A. Lindbergh across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. He flew from New York to Paris and became very famous for this outstanding achievement. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 4, 1902 and grew up on a family farm in Rapid Falls, Minnesota (ThinkQuest). He was named after his father, Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Sr. who was a lawyer and a congressman for the state of Minnesota. His mother's name was Evangeling Land Lodge and he was the only child that she had. .
When Lindbergh was eighteen, he attended the University of Wisconsin where he studied mechanical engineering. During this time period, he became very interested in the field of aviation. He wanted to become a fighter pilot so he decided to join the United States Army in 1924. He accomplished his goal by graduating as the top pilot in his class. He was able to purchase his own airplane and used it to deliver mail from St. Louis to Chicago during the next six years (ThinkQuest). In his spare time, he performed as a stunt pilot during fairs. People perceived him as not being a very safe pilot (Two Legends of Aviation).
In 1919, a New York City hotel owner named Raymond Orteig agreed to award twenty-five thousand dollars to the first man who could fly across the Atlantic Ocean non-stop. It was called the Orteig Prize. Many people took interest in his competition, which resulted in several of them becoming injured or worse yet dying by trying to win the prize. By 1926, Lindbergh took interest in the possibility of him being able to win the Orteig Prize (ThinkQuest). A year later, he was able to get the support of nine businessmen to sponsor him. If he could use just the right plane, he may have a chance at winning the prize. The plane that he would use was called the "Spirit of St. Louis". He tested out the plane by flying it from San Diego to New York with one stop in St.
