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Today May 20
1927: Lindbergh begins trans-Atlantic flight
Aviator Charles Lindbergh attempted a non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean today in a gray monoplane. Lindbergh began his flight at Roosevelt Field in Long Island shortly before 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
"Government vessels and steamships are watching for the intrepid American, but are not expected to sight him until he swings his airplane off the coast of Newfoundland," reported the Oakland Tribune on May 20, 1927.
NOTE: After flying 33 ½ hours, Lindbergh arrived at Le Bourget Field in France to become the first man ever to fly solo from New York to Paris.
1989: Comedian Gilda Radner dies of cancer
Gilda Radner, an original star of Saturday Night Live, died of cancer today at the age of 42. "As the obnoxious, nasal-voiced TV news commentator Roseanna Roseannadana, her catch-phrase was 'It's always something,' which became the title of her book on cancer," explained the Chronicle Telegram on May 21, 1989.
1932: Earhart takes off for Europe
Amelia Earhart Putnam began her historic solo flight across the Atlantic today on the anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's famous flight. "Lindbergh's was the first solo flight across the Atlantic. The woman flier was the first trans-Atlantic woman passenger. She hopes to be the first woman to make the solo flight," reported The Vidette-Messenger on May 20, 1932. NOTE: While Earhart did not land in Paris as planned, she successfully made it across the Atlantic alone.
1902: U.S. ends occupation of Cuba
"Secretary of State Hay took final steps today of acquainting the nations that the United States government has redeemed its pledge to make free the people of Cuba," informed in the Davenport Daily Republican on May 21, 1902. "This was done by cabling every capital where there is a resident, either ambassador or minister for the United States, of an identical note informing our representatives that the military occupation ceased and that an independent government, republican in form, had been inaugurated there, under the presidency of Tomas Estrada Palma."
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