Fallen Hero: Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh was an aviator who broke records, dared to try flights than had never been tried before, and was a full-blown celebrity in the eyes of the American people in the
1930's and the 1940's. He was handsome, fearless, strong, and every American knew his name. In a time when celebrity was rarer than it is in 2013, Charles Lindbergh became every bit as famous as actors and politicians simply by being a talented aviator. However, over time, his status as a hero and celebrity faltered.
Charles Lindbergh first earned hero status by being the first pilot to fly from New York to Paris without making any stops. This occurred in 1927, after he had served the U.S. Army as a pilot. In 1927, flying this amount of time and distance without any help was not unattempted, but not achieved either. Lindbergh's success made him an instant celebrity. As he landed in Paris, "Lindbergh was welcomed by more than 100,000 people who came to see aviation history in the making." (biography.com) After this flight, his celebrity status guaranteed that people would flock to him wherever he was. In a time when America was in an economic depression and recovering from the first World War, Charles Lindbergh was a shining example of all that was right about America. He also endeared himself to the American public after his son (with his wife, Anne) was kidnapped and murdered. Americans felt they could further relate to Lindbergh and looked up to him even more.
However, Lindbergh viewed his hero status as a handicap and not a perk. He and Anne felt that if they were not celebrities, their son would still be alive. So, they decided to leave America, whose culture they blamed for elevating people to celebrity status too often, and move to England where they could enjoy a more private life. While they were there, they were able to visit Germany, and they were able to see how Germany had become economically healthier since the end of World War I, despite the fact that
1930's and the 1940's. He was handsome, fearless, strong, and every American knew his name. In a time when celebrity was rarer than it is in 2013, Charles Lindbergh became every bit as famous as actors and politicians simply by being a talented aviator. However, over time, his status as a hero and celebrity faltered.
Charles Lindbergh first earned hero status by being the first pilot to fly from New York to Paris without making any stops. This occurred in 1927, after he had served the U.S. Army as a pilot. In 1927, flying this amount of time and distance without any help was not unattempted, but not achieved either. Lindbergh's success made him an instant celebrity. As he landed in Paris, "Lindbergh was welcomed by more than 100,000 people who came to see aviation history in the making." (biography.com) After this flight, his celebrity status guaranteed that people would flock to him wherever he was. In a time when America was in an economic depression and recovering from the first World War, Charles Lindbergh was a shining example of all that was right about America. He also endeared himself to the American public after his son (with his wife, Anne) was kidnapped and murdered. Americans felt they could further relate to Lindbergh and looked up to him even more.
However, Lindbergh viewed his hero status as a handicap and not a perk. He and Anne felt that if they were not celebrities, their son would still be alive. So, they decided to leave America, whose culture they blamed for elevating people to celebrity status too often, and move to England where they could enjoy a more private life. While they were there, they were able to visit Germany, and they were able to see how Germany had become economically healthier since the end of World War I, despite the fact that
Cited: "Charles Lindbergh Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2013. Web. OS Nov. 2013. "Des Moines Speech- America First Committee." Des Moines Speech- America First Committee. Charleslindbergh.com, 2013. Web. OS Nov. 2013. "Fallen Hero: Charles Lindbergh in the 1940s." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. OS Nov. 2013.