In May 1927 Charles Lindbergh flew alone from New York to Paris, 3,610 miles in 33.5 hours. About 100,000 people were waiting when he landed.

Charles Lindbergh flew alone from New York to Paris in 33 hours and 30 minutes, covering 3,610 miles.

Lindbergh took off on the morning of May 20, 1927, in the Spirit of St. Louis, and landed at Le Bourget Field near Paris, the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum records. A crowd of 100,000 greeted him.

Weeks earlier he had flown the plane from San Diego to New York, with one stop at St. Louis, in 21 hours, 40 minutes, a transcontinental record.