Amundsen's Expedition Reaches the South Pole

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and four companions reached the geographic South Pole on December 14, 1911, after a journey from their Bay of Whales base camp using dog sleds and skis. The party discovered and ascended the Axel Heiberg Glacier to reach the polar plateau. At the pole, they erected a tent named Polheim and raised the Norwegian flag. Amundsen left messages for Robert Falcon Scott's British party. The team returned to base camp on January 25, 1912, after 99 days.