The Virgin Islands Daily News is running a three-part series chronicling the arrival of famous U.S. aviator Charles Lindbergh to the Virgin Islands in 1928, in the wake of his famous Atlantic crossing. You can access part I through the link below and look for links to parts 2 and 3.

The 1928 visit generated thrills and excitement, and particularly a sense of inclusion in a major world event. Lindbergh was regarded as a folk hero in the territory in general and on St. Thomas in particular. Basking in the limelight generated by his pioneering flight and the publication of his bestseller memoir, “We”, Lindbergh, now promoted to colonel, began a “good will tour” of Latin America and the Caribbean starting in New York on Dec. 13, 1927, and lasting until Feb. 8, 1928. He flew 7,800 miles in the Spirit of St. Louis, visiting visit Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

In  Puerto Rico it led to the introduction of the línber, a frozen juice pop still known by the same name today.

You can access the series at http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/lindbergh-fever-hits-st-thomas-1.891408