Amelia Earhart Welcomed at City Hall

Commemorative stamp issued in 1963.

U.S. Post Office Dept.

In May 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to pilot a nonstop solo transatlantic flight. Returning to New York on June 20th, she was roundly hailed at a succession of events around the city. Among the stops, of course, was City Hall. It was her second trip to the famous seat of municipal government. The first was in 1928 when she flew across the Atlantic as a passenger aboard the Friendship as the first woman passenger to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a plane. The craft, piloted by Wilmer "Bill" Stultz and Luis "Slim" Gordon, landed in South Wales.

This time, she flew solo to Europe facing the darkness and storms alone from Newfoundland to Northern Ireland in her single-engine Lockheed. The day-long tributes to her feat began in New York harbor aboard the Macom, the city's yacht for welcoming visiting dignitaries, and then proceeded to an open touring car in the Battery for a massive ticker-tape parade up Broadway.

Disembarking at City Hall before a crowd of some 5,000 well-wishers, Earhart joined Mayor Walker, Charles L. Lawrence of the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce, and other officials on the steps of City Hall. There, WNYC's Tommy Cowan (lower right of top photo) manned the public address system. Before a battery of microphones, Mayor Walker welcomed the aviatrix to the city.  In a somewhat tortured attempt at wit Walker spoke of the "aeronautical We" which, because of Earhart’s recent achievement, now included women. He was referring to Charles Lindbergh's book "We" (meaning Lindbergh and his plane) and the story of his solo flight to Europe five years earlier. The Mayor then pinned a gold medal to the lapel of Earhart's coat, an honor that the City reserves for distinguished visitors. The modest pilot thanked the Mayor and said her trip was "just a personal gesture." 

Thousands gathered at City Hall on June 20, 1932, to see Amelia Earhart after her historic solo flight. In the center are official cars entering City Hall Plaza where she was welcomed by Mayor Walker.

(AP Photo)