NELLIE BLY COMPLETES HER JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD
Inspired by the Jules Verne novel Around the World in 80 Days, investigative journalist Nellie Bly decided to try to beat the impressive feat set by its protagonist. Boarding a steamship in New Jersey in November 1889, Bly – real name Elizabeth Jane Cochran – managed to circumnavigate the globe in just 72 days and even met Verne in France along the way Her employer, Te New York World newspaper, chronicled her journey and held a competition to guess her how long she would take. Bly’s triumphant return on 25 January 1890 saw her greeted with fireworks and a host of fans. Tough her record was beaten a few months later, the book she wrote about her journey made her a star.