 Who was first to the Pole? Two American explorers each claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole. One was Robert Edwin Peary, who claimed to have reached the Pole on April 6, 1909. The other was Dr. Frederick Cook, who claimed to have reached the "Big Nail" almost a year earlier on April 21, 1908. (Explorers' Routes) These conflicting claims set off much debate and controversy. The newspapers recognized a good story and vigorously took sides. Both men had their supporters and their detractors, causing one newspaper to comment: "Cook was a liar and a gentleman, and Peary was neither." Facts seem to have mattered little in the fray that followed - notice the illustration of Peary and Cook fighting that shows penguins in the Arctic! (Penguins only live in the southern hemisphere.)
Click pictures for more information and credits. Library: Arctic, Explorers, Exploration Links: Arctic, Arctic Maps & Weather Reports Explorers' Routes Peary's Supporters, Cook's Supporters, |
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DICTIONARY: Just "double-click" any unlinked word on this page for the definition from Merriam-Webster's Student Electronic Dictionary at Word Central. |
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ARCTIC LIBRARY & GLOSSARY: Check this section for an index of the rest of the things you really need to know about the Arctic. |
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ARCTIC MAPS & WEATHER REPORTS: Maps of the Northwest Passage, explorers' routes, iceberg sources, Nunavut, the Arctic by treeline, temperature... |
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ARCTIC LINKS: Even more information! Links to sites related to the Arctic and "Iceberg: the Story of the Throps and the Squallhoots". |
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GUIDE TO ARCTIC SUNRISE & SUNSET: How much sunlight or darkness is there in the Arctic on each day of the year? |
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