This picture from the Library of Congress's collection shows French aviator Louis Blériot in his workshop on July 14, 1909, ten days before his historic voyage across the English Channel, the first flight across the channel in a vessel heavier than air (balloons had made the journey previously). The British press pronounced that in light of Blériot's accomplishment, England was "no longer an island." Blériot was awarded a prize of £1000 from London's Daily Mail.

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Image: Library of Congress.