Posted on December 14, 2021
This is an update of my post published on December 14, 2010:
The first humans (that we know of) reached the South Pole on this date in 1911. The Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen led the expedition with four companions – Hanssen, Hassel, Wisting, and Bjaaland – and 17 sled dogs!
Are you wondering why they traveled to such a frosty-cold place in the middle of winter?
Think about it…
Of course, the South Pole is in Southern Hemisphere, so December is part of its summer!
There was a bit of a “race” to the geographic pole (the southern point of the axis on which the Earth rotates). British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, who had come about 100 miles away from the pole in an earlier attempt, was leading one expedition, and Amundsen led another.
Of course, you know that the Norwegian team won that race. Amundsen and his party left a small tent and a letter, stating their accomplishment, in case they didn’t get back to base camp.
Scott’s team reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, just 34 days after Amundsen.
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| Scott’s team |
All five of the Norwegians safely made it back base camp to announce their success. (Only 11 of the 17 dogs made it back.) Tragically, all five of the British team died of starvation and cold on the return trip to the base camp. Although Amundsen proved to be a very careful planner and a good leader, the main reason that the Scott party died is because they experienced exceptionally and unseasonably severe weather.
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| Roald Amundsen years after his successful expedition. |
- Get the facts about Antarctica here.
- This website has info about the South Pole.
- Learn about life under Antarctic ice!
This is what the South Pole looks like now:
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| There are literally photo-op props at the South Pole!! A circle of flags and a barber-pole with a silvery sphere welcome those who want to take a photo to show the world that they were there! This is called the “Ceremonial South Pole,” which is located about 100 yards away from the “Geographic South Pole.” |
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| This is Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, a U.S. scientific research station. |
Also on this date:
Astronomer Tycho Brahe’s birthday
Arrival of the Yule Lads in Iceland
Monkey Day
Anniversary of President LBJ saying, “Some geniuses at Stanford University have created life in the test tube!” –when that wasn’t what actually happened!
Yoga Day
Birthday of ship expert and artist Alexander Nelke
Anniversary of M. Jacquin making his first artificial pearls
Anniversary of the first woman becoming the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Plan ahead:
Check out my Pinterest pages on:
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December holidays
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December birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in December
And here are my Pinterest boards for:
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January birthdays
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Historical anniversaries in January