When you open Google today, in all likelihood you’ll find a charming woman smiling at you. And her smile is not the first thing she is popular for. Today, September 15, marks the birthday of Jean Batten, a New Zealand aviator. Google doodle is celebrating Batten’s spirit of valiance today. In the 1930s, after her two attempts to fly from England to Australia failed, Batten decided to not give up and made a record-breaking journey in 1934. Born in Rotorua, Batten, soon became popular for the numerous record-breaking flights she made across the world.
Though a gifted pianist, Batten (born as Jane), at the age of 18, decided to become a pilot after Charles Kingford Smith — popular Australian pilot, took her for a trip on his Southern Cross plane. In 1929, Batten moved to England with her mother to join the London Aeroplane Club and took her solo flight soon, in the year 1930.