Charles Lindbergh was born on February 4, 1902 in Detroit. His father
was a lawyer and served as a Minnesota congressman. Charles grew up on
a farm in Minnesota where he showed much promise in mechanics. At 18,
he entered college to study engineering. However, within two years he
left the University of Wisconsin to become a barnstormer, or a daredevil
pilot.
Charles Lindbergh enlisted in the United States Army when he was 22.
He became trained as a Reserve pilot. He graduated as best pilot in his
class in 1925. After completing his service in the military he went on
to fly mail between Chicago and St. Louis. However, Lindbergh was intrigued
by a challenge and set out to win a $25,000.00 prize that was being offered
by a New York City hotel owner. The monies would be given to the first
person who could fly nonstop from New York to Paris. Though many aviators
had tried in the past and met their demise, Lindbergh was certain he
could pull off the feat. Lindbergh did complete the journey and he was
met by thousands of people in Paris upon his landing. Lindbergh soon
found himself as a hero. He was the recipient of many awards, including
the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Congressional Medal.
Charles Lindbergh went on to fly to many countries for the United States
as a goodwill ambassador. It was on one of these trips that he met his
wife, Anne Morrow. She would become a writer and poet, in her own right.
On March 1, 1932, the Lindberghs’ son, Charles Augustus, was kidnapped
from his home. His little 20-month-old body was found ten weeks later.
Bruno Richard Hauptmann was charged, convicted and executed for the crime.
The Lindbergh kidnapping prompted the United States Congress to make
kidnapping a federal offense and they passed the “Lindbergh law.” The
Lindberghs were under constant media attention and moved to Europe for
privacy.
