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June 23, 2021
Today in Texas history
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
On this day in 1931, Texas native Wiley Post and Harold Gatty took off in an attempt to fly around the world.
Post, born at Corinth in Van Zandt County, was one of the best-known fliers in the world. He and Gatty circled the globe in 8 days, 15 hours, and 51 minutes. Their route passed through the northern latitudes and was some 15,000 miles long.
Two years later, Post beat his earlier time by more than 21 hours. He is most famous, however, for piloting the plane in which he and humorist Will Rogers died at Point Barrow, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 1935.
Post, born at Corinth in Van Zandt County, was one of the best-known fliers in the world. He and Gatty circled the globe in 8 days, 15 hours, and 51 minutes. Their route passed through the northern latitudes and was some 15,000 miles long.
Two years later, Post beat his earlier time by more than 21 hours. He is most famous, however, for piloting the plane in which he and humorist Will Rogers died at Point Barrow, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 1935.