On this day Lieutenant Tito Falconi flew his open-cockpit airplane from St. Louis to Joliet upside down. He was happy to set the record for inverted flight but was a little worried also because one of the straps that held him in broke along the way.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.