On July 25, 1909, French aviator Louis Blériot achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first person to fly a heavier-than-air aircraft across the English Channel. Battling rain and strong winds, Blériot took off from Calais, France, navigating the 22-mile journey to Dover, England, in his small monoplane. The 37-minute flight saw him reach an average speed of 40 miles per hour at an altitude of around 250 feet, with weather conditions frequently pushing him off course.

Blériot’s pioneering flight captured international attention and proved the potential of powered flight for crossing bodies of water, marking a pivotal advancement in aviation history. His success inspired future innovations and highlighted the rapidly expanding possibilities of air travel in the early 20th century.