100 Years Ago Today
Today marks the 100th anniversary of Norwegian, Roald Amundson's, arrival to the South Pole. Amundson and his team marked their arrival to the pole with a tent and Norwegian flag. A photograph documents the historic moment.
Robert Scott and his team discover Amundson's ski with a Norwegian flag, evidence that the Norwegians are first to the pole. Picture courtesy of the United States Antarctic Program.
The South Pole Station is gearing up for today's celebrations! There are many tourists who have arrived to celebrate the event. Yesterday I met three Norwegian tourists who flew here, who were setting up a similar tent and flag at the South Pole to re-enact Amundson's journey. The Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, who flew to the South Pole on the same flight as me, will ski in from 10 kilometers away today to commemorate the event. Amundson and his team's skiing abilities were a great asset to crossing the hundreds of miles of ice.
Sad news for Scott
Amundson and his men construct a tent at the South Pole and mark it with a flag. Photo courtesy of the United States Antarctic Program.
Although Amundson's achievement is a celebration, there was one group that was not so happy about the event. A British team, led by Robert F. Scott, was 5 weeks behind Amundson in a race to the pole. They knew they had lost when they saw his flag at the pole (illustrated in the picture above). Scott's group, upset at the defeat, left the pole and headed back to Ross Island. Sadly, they died in a snow storm, hungry and cold. The map below shows the attempts to the pole in the early 20th Century
This map shows the various expeditions attempting to reach the pole in the early 1900s. Map courtesy of the United States Antarctic Program.
Celebrating the Event
Yesterday the Prime Minister gave a speech to us in the galley about the significance of Amundson's achievements. He said that Amundson's accomplishment of being the first person at the pole was a very proud moment for the new nation of Norway. Norway had been under Sweden's claim from 1814 - 1905 due to defeat in the Napoleneonic wars, but in 1905 Sweden recognized Norway's independence. Only 6 years later, Amundson reached the pole.
The Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, speaks to people at the South Pole Station in the galley
After the speech, a group photo of the Norwegians along with the South Pole scientists and staff was taken by the Geographic South Pole. Later that evening, the Norwegians hosted a cultural treat of Glug and Norwegian cookies. I was able to meet the prime minister, who was very friendly and unassuming.
Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, and Michelle Brown during a Norwegian celebration of glug and cookies.
More Celebrations to Come!
Today we will have more events and celebrations, which I will be sure to write about tomorrow! There will be an ice sculpture, a painting ceremony and an impressive dinner. I can't believe my luck in arriving here on the centennial of such an important day!
Questions
How would you feel if you were Scott and saw Amundson's flag at the pole?
Math Connection
If the Prime Minister is skiing 10 kilometers, how many miles is that? (Hint, 1.62 kilometers is the same as 1 mile)
How "old" was Norway when Amundson reached the pole?