The Case:
July 2, 1937: newspapers all over the world report the same event: Amelia Earhart's airplane disappears over the pacific. The disaster and presumed death of the beloved 39 year-old heroine gripped the public.
For decades historians have debated how and where the aviator disappeared. Both scientific and more fanciful theories abound: some surmise she landed on uninhabited Gardner Island. Others suggest she was captured and executed by the Japanese. Less scrutinized is an accident she had four months earlier, during take-off for her around-the-world flight.
Did that crash somehow contribute to Earhart's disappearance?
Over seventy years later, History Detectives investigates whether a fragment of metal is from the missing plane.
Related Content
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Diana
How did this alleged lesbian autobiography escape censorship in the 1930’s?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Suffrage Pennant
What can this pennant tell us about one woman's role at a crucial point in Women's Suffrage movement?
-
Related Investigation
Baker's Gold
What role did these unusual drawings play in one of the largest mass migrations in American history?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Rogue Book
Who did this book of rogue characters belong to?
-
Related Investigation
Space Boot
What does this odd-looking boot have to do with America's first steps in space?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Lucy Parson's Book
Was the legendary anarchist the owner of this manifesto found in a library?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.