The first scheduled around-the-world passenger flight stopped briefly at Chicago's Municipal (later Midway) Airport on June 30, 1947, before taking off on its final leg to New York's LaGuardia airport. The Pan American Airways flight crew and passengers (including airline executives, newspaper publishers, and public officials) were greeted by a delegation led by Mayor Martin Kennelly. According to Pan American Airways president Juan Trippe, Chicago was selected as the final stop-over point in order to highlight the city's role as North American center for air transportation. In this photograph, Kennelly displays a Chicago flag that had been carried on the flight.

Photographer: Unknown
Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-26495)