Carsten Borchgrevink (1864–1934) was an Anglo-Norwegian polar explorer and a pioneer of modern Antarctic travel. He was a precursor of Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton, Roald Amundsen and others associated with the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. He began his exploring career in 1894 by joining a Norwegian whaling expedition, from which he brought back a collection of the first specimens of vegetable life within the Antarctic Circle. From 1898 to 1900 Borchgrevink led the British-financed Southern Cross Expedition, which in 1899 became the first to overwinter on the Antarctic mainland and the first to visit the Great Ice Barrier in nearly 60 years. There he set a Farthest South record at 78° 50′ S. He was one of three scientists sent to the Caribbean in 1902 by the National Geographic Society to report on the aftermath of the Mount Pelée disaster. Recognised and honoured by several countries, he received a handsome tribute in 1912 from Amundsen, conqueror of the South Pole.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carsten_Borchgrevink
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1894:
London's Tower Bridge, a combined bascule and suspension bridge over the River Thames, was inaugurated. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_Bridge
1922:
An agreement was signed to end the United States occupation of the Dominican Republic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_occupation_of_the_Dominican_Republic_%281916%E2%80%931924%29
1960:
The Belgian Congo gained independence from colonial rule, beginning a period of instability that would lead to the dictatorship of Joseph-Désiré Mobutu. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_Crisis
2015:
An Indonesian Air Force military transport aircraft crashed near a residential neighborhood in Medan, killing 139 people total. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Sumatra_Indonesian_Air_Force_C-130_crash
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
at the best of times: (idiomatic) Even under the most favourable conditions. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/at_the_best_of_times
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
We, the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, have gathered in Madrid as war has returned to the European continent. We face a critical time for our security and international peace and stability. We stand together in unity and solidarity and reaffirm the enduring transatlantic bond between our nations. NATO is a defensive Alliance and poses no threat to any country. … We are united in our commitment to democracy, individual liberty, human rights, and the rule of law. We adhere to international law and to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. … We condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. Russia bears full responsibility for this humanitarian catastrophe. … We will continue and further step up political and practical support to our close partner Ukraine as it continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression. … Today, we have decided to invite Finland and Sweden to become members of NATO, and agreed to sign the Accession Protocols. In any accession to the Alliance, it is of vital importance that the legitimate security concerns of all Allies are properly addressed. … The accession of Finland and Sweden will make them safer, NATO stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure. --NATO https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/NATO
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