Lituanica

Lituanica was a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker airplane flown from New York City to Kaunas, Lithuania, in 1933 by Lithuanian-American pilots Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas. The flight was intended to be a non-stop transatlantic flight, covering approximately 7,186 kilometers (4,465 miles).

The flight began on July 15, 1933, from Floyd Bennett Field in New York. After a successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, the Lituanica crashed on July 17, 1933, near the village of Kuhdamm, Germany (now Pszczelnik, Poland), just 650 kilometers (404 miles) from its destination of Kaunas. Both Darius and Girėnas were killed in the crash.

The cause of the crash remains debated, with theories ranging from pilot error and mechanical failure to sabotage and weather conditions. Despite the tragic end, the Lituanica flight was a significant event in Lithuanian history and aviation, representing a symbol of national pride, technological ambition, and the strong connection between Lithuania and the Lithuanian diaspora in the United States.

The name "Lituanica" is a Latinization of Lithuania. The flight has been commemorated in numerous ways, including monuments, stamps, and place names. The Lituanica's legacy continues to inspire generations of Lithuanians and remains an important part of the nation's cultural heritage.