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In 1986, a 22-year-old flight attendant named Neerja Bhanot fended off a group of armed hijackers on Pan Am flight 73. 
When the attackers boarded the plane, she shouted a secret command to the pilots, allowing them to escape.
With them gone, she was now the senior member on the plane. It was her, the rest of the crew, and 300+ passengers.
She and the crew set about hiding all the international passengers' passports, so they wouldn't be targeted.
After 17 hours, the power began to fail and the terrorists began opening fire and setting off explosives. She threw open the emergency exit.
She died on that plane, shielding children with her body.
She died 2 days short of her birthday, which is today. She would have been 54.
Last year, a film came out about her life. I believe it's on US Netflix right now. netflix.com/title/80099084
(and yes, I covered her. she's in book one.) is.gd/rpbook1
(and to the newcomers: hi! I run an illustrated blog about unsung women of history. Maybe you'll dig it: rejectedprincesses.com )
