Roald Amundsen. Photo: Norsk Polarinstitutt
Roald Amundsen was born in Borge, Norway in 1872. After losing both his parents, he went on to become one of the most famous Norwegians in history as he devoted his life to polar research and exploration.
In 1906, Amundsen became the first to navigate the Northwest Passage in 1906; 400 years after the British had begun searching for it. He also became the first to fly across the Arctic Ocean in 1926, but he is most famous for the race to the South Pole.
Amundsen had planned to go the North Pole, but secretly changed his plans and aimed for the South Pole instead. This meant he entered into a race with a British expedition led by Robert F. Scott. Amundsen and his four men reached the South Pole on 14 December 1911, 5 weeks before Scott who tragically died of hunger and exhaustion on the way back. After reaching the South Pole, Amundsen went to Hobart, Tasmania. Here he sent the telegram on 7 March 1912 that would make him famous as he told the world about his accomplishment.
Roald Amundsen disappeared on 18 June 1928 when on a rescue mission to save a fellow explorer. Some wreckage of the plane he was in has been found, but it is not fully known how Amundsen met his death as his body was never recovered.
Centenary
Australia is hosting a centenary in 2011 and 2012 celebrating 100 years of Antarctic exploration, starting in 1911 when Douglas Mawson went to Antarctica and set up several exploring bases.
7 March 2012 will be devoted to Roald Amundsen as it will be 100 years since he walked into the Hobart post office to send the telegram to the King of Norway about his epic journey to the South Pole.
More information:
Nansen-Amundsen Year in Norway: http://www.nansenamundsen.no/en/index.html
Norwegian Polar Institute: http://npweb.npolar.no/english
Amundsen in the Fram Museum: http://www.frammuseum.no/Polar-Heroes/Main-Heroes/Main-Hero-2-(1).aspx
Antarctic Centennial Year in Hobart, Australia: http://www.centenary.antarctica.gov.au/