On July 25, 1909, French pilot Louis Blériot made history by becoming the first person to fly a heavier-than-air craft across the English Channel. The trip, which took 37 minutes, was made in challenging conditions, with rain and strong winds pushing his small monoplane off course. Blériot flew at an average speed of 40 miles per hour and maintained an altitude of around 250 feet as he covered the 22-mile journey from Calais, France, to Dover, England. Despite the weather, his successful flight marked a significant milestone in aviation history.