Documentary about the U.S. Army's flight around the world in 1924, employing four Douglas World Cruiser aircraft. A flag of United States. Crowds gather around around. the four Douglas World Cruisers, named Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, and Seattle, as they prepare to depart from Seattle, Washington, on their expedition. One of the aircraft taking off. All the aircraft in flight over Seattle Washington. Major Frederick F. Martin Commander of the flight. An animated map shows the aerial expedition's route and locations of various accidents and incidents that beset them along the way. View of one Douglas World Cruiser in flight, equipped with floats. The expedition was completed by the Cruiser,Chicago, crewed by pilot, Lt. Lowell Smith and Lt. Leslie Arnold; and by the New Orleans, crewed by pilot, Lt. Erik Nelson and Lt. Jack Harding, who are seen being congratulated by expedition Commander, Major Frederick F. Martin upon their completion of the mission in Seattle, on September 28, 1924.
Shows several aviation "firsts" accomplished by U.S. Army Air Service aviators in the period from 1918 through 1924. A close formation of biplanes in flight. President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson chat with Major Fleet, Officer in charge, on the occasion of the first air mail flight, inaugurated on May 15,1918 between Washington DC and New York.The mail is loaded into the Curtis JN-4 aircraft. Pilot in the cockpit. The aircraft takes off and in flight. Air Service. Mention of aviators helping spot forest fires. Smoke rising from forest fires and mountain ranges. In 1920, U.S. Army Captain St. Clair Streett is seen with some of his Squadron who flew four De Havilland DH-4 aircraft 9,000 miles, from New York City to Nome, Alaska. Two of the men play with pet dogs. Their itinerary is painted on the side of one of the aircraft, along with the names of pilot and mechanic (C.E. Crumline and J.E. Long). In 1923 the first non stop coast-to-coast flight was made in the Fokker T-2 aircraft. . A sign on the aircraft reads 'Army Air Service non stop coast to coast'.First Lieutenants Oakley O.Kelly and John A. Macready board the aircraft, at Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York, on May 2, 1923. Their Fokker T-2 in flight. Their arrival at Rockwell Field, on Coronado Island (San Diego) California. In 1924, Lt. Russell Maughan is seen boarding his P-1 Hawk airplane at Mitchel Field, on Long Island, New York, and taking off , bound for Crissy Field at the Presidio, San Francisco, California. His goal is the first dawn-to-dusk, coast-to-coast flight. Views of his P-1 Hawk airplane flying over Manhattan, New York City.
1924 Democratic National Convention, at Madison Square Garden in New York City from June 24 to July 9, 1924. The alphabetical process of nominating candidates begins with Alabama and Forney is seen Johnston, putting Senator Oscar Underwood's name into consideration. View of men at the podium. Bernard Baruch, a supporter of William McAdoo, is seen standing in background. View of the crowded Madison Square Garden, filled with delegates. Some carry a banner reading: "Wilson 1916 for McAdoo 1924." The various State delegations are identified by signs with their State names on them. Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Hawaii (U.S. territory) are seen. As the camera pans the gathering, many more State signs are seen. Outside , in Madison Square Park, a loudspeaker is set up on a truck and a crowd is gathered to listen to events. Back inside Franklin D. Roosevelt, Al Smith's campaign manager, is seen giving a speech nominating Smith for President. Supporters hold up Posters displaying Smith's picture. Closeups of some of the banners. Ticker tape being thrown to celebrate the end of the convention, which ended on July 9th after the 103rd vote finally carried for compromise candidate, John W. Davis of West Virginia. Governor Charles W. Bryan of Nebraska was selected as the vice-presidential nominee.
Franklin D. Roosevelt seen standing in courtyard of White House, with other officials. The old Executive Office Building is in the background. Democratic National Convention of July, 1920. Roosevelt is nominated as Vice Presidential candidate on ticket with James M. Cox. The two of them campaigning in San Francisco. Supporters parading. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt with their four children and dog, at Hyde Park in New York. Crowds gather to hear Roosevelt campaign speeches. Franklin D. Roosevelt returns to Hyde Park and is greeted by his mother. He speaks there and greets supporters. Roosevelt on chrutches (due to polio) standing with John W. Davis and Alfred Smith. Scenes of the Democratic National Convention of 1924, in New York.
Race for Presidential election in 1924. Franklin D. Roosevelt, on crutches,as a result of polio, poses with Democratic party leaders John W. Davis and Alfred E. Smith. Democratic Party convention in New York, United States. Delegates from various states at the convention. People carry banners of various states. Alfred Smith and William McAdoo are the front runners for the Presidential nomination.
Loudspeakers visible in convention hall. United States President Calvin Coolidge accepts nomination at Republican convention. President Coolidge, with First Lady, Grace Coolidge, and sons,John, and Calvin Jr., pose for photographs at stair from South Portico of the White House. A large company of officials and political figures pose with them, filling the stairs to the Portico.