On this date in 1909 African American Matthew Henson became the first man to reach the North Pole. Henson, an African American explorer, and adventurer began the journey with Admiral Robert E. Peary from Camp Sheridan in Greenland in February of that year. By April they were near exhaustion and blinded by snow glare, but only 60 miles from their goal. Despite the adversity, Henson, an expert in handling equipment, dog sleds and in dealing with Eskimos went forth and became the first man to reach the North Pole. In 2000, the National Geographic Society posthumously awarded Henson with its highest honor, the Hubbard Medal, for distinction in exploration, discovery and research.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 11:56:25 +0000
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