The Channel Crossing

One of the most important female aviators was Harriet Quimby, who made history on August 1, 1911, when she became the country's first woman to obtain a pilot's certificate. She passed away in a plane crash less than a year after receiving her license, so unfortunately her groundbreaking career also served as a reminder of exactly how risky flying was in its infancy.

But before she tragically passed away, Harriet Quimby was responsible for a number of aviation firsts, with her most notable success being the first woman to fly across the English Channel. Less than three years after the first-ever airplane crossing was made, this took place on April 16, 1912. Harriet's 69-minute journey nearly ended in disaster when her engine flooded and she lost visibility in dense fog. Despite being off-course, she eventually made it to a French beach close to Hardelot without incident.

Locals rushed to surround the aircraft and showered Harriet with enthusiastic applause and cries, although they were essentially the only ones to do so. The Titanic disaster, one of the most historic incidents of the 20th century, had occurred just two days earlier and was the only thing on everyone else's mind.

• Date: April 16, 1912