History, But Strange

Wrong Way to Glory: The Man Who 'Accidentally' Flew to Ireland
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July 17: Wrong Way to Glory: The Man Who 'Accidentally' Flew to Ireland

Strangeness
9/10

What Happened on This Day in History?

On July 17, 1938, Douglas Corrigan took off from Brooklyn supposedly bound for California, but landed in Ireland 28 hours later, claiming he simply flew in the wrong direction by mistake. He was nicknamed 'Wrong Way' Corrigan and became an unlikely American folk hero.

Why It's Strange

Corrigan's flight plan to California had been officially rejected by aviation authorities, and many suspected his 'wrong way' navigation was entirely deliberate - making his wide-eyed innocent act one of history's most charming and audacious cover stories.

Wrong Way to Glory: The Man Who 'Accidentally' Flew to Ireland — historical illustration depicting Jul 17, 1938

Sources & References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Corrigan
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Wrong Way to Glory:The Man Who'Accidentally' Flewto IrelandDouglas Corrigan
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Connected Strange History

Douglas Corrigan
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Douglas Corrigan

Known as 'Wrong Way' Corrigan, he gained fame after flying from New York to Ireland in 1938, claiming he accidentally flew in the wrong direction.