March 05

Born in Gascony, he began his career in the French military before venturing to New France.\nIn 1701 he established Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, the settlement that became Detroit.\nHis role as a frontier trader and negotiator shaped early relations with Native American tribes.\nAppointed Governor of Louisiana in 1710, he oversaw colonial defenses and expanded trade networks.\nHis tenure was marked by conflicts with rival European powers and the indigenous population.\nHe introduced agricultural reforms and attempted to strengthen the colony’s economy.\nAfter being recalled to France in 1716, he lived out his final years, dying in 1730.\nHis founding of Detroit remains a lasting testament to his exploratory ambitions.

Born in 1873 in Morgedal, Norway, Olav Bjaaland was a champion cross-country skier known for winning national races. He joined Roald Amundsen's 1910–1912 Antarctic expedition, bringing invaluable skiing expertise to the team. Bjaaland's skill and endurance helped the party traverse the polar plateau to reach the South Pole on December 14, 1911. He crafted customized skis and trained fellow explorers in Nordic techniques, enhancing the expedition's success. After returning to Norway, he continued to promote skiing and mountaineering. Bjaaland received honors for his polar achievements and remained an active sports figure until his death in 1961. His pioneering spirit bridged athletic excellence and the age of Antarctic exploration.

Philip K. Chapman was born in 1935 in Melbourne, Australia. He earned a PhD in physics and moved to the United States to work as an aerospace engineer. In the late 1960s, he was selected by NASA as part of the scientist-astronaut program during the Apollo era. Although he never flew in space, his technical work contributed to the development of spacecraft systems. After leaving NASA, he continued a distinguished career as an aerospace consultant and educator. He is celebrated as the first Australian-born astronaut and a pioneer in space exploration.

Oh Eun-sun is renowned for her ambitious quest to climb the world’s fourteen highest peaks above 8,000 meters. In 2009, she claimed the record as the first woman to complete this challenge, sparking global attention. Her climbs have taken her to some of the most dangerous mountains, including K2 and Annapurna. Despite debates over the validity of her final ascent, her determination and perseverance have inspired many. She continues to speak on adventure and resilience, encouraging women to pursue bold goals.