May 15

Matthias Zurbriggen (1856–1917) was a Swiss alpinist celebrated for his bold and pioneering climbs. In 1897, he achieved the first recorded ascent of Aconcagua in Argentina, standing at 6,962 meters and securing his reputation in mountaineering history. Zurbriggen also made significant ascents in the Alps and explored peaks in New Zealand, demonstrating exceptional endurance and skill. Operating often in remote and challenging terrain, he preferred small expedition teams and relied on self-sufficiency. His adventurous spirit and technical prowess influenced future generations of climbers, and his accomplishments remain landmarks in the Golden Age of alpinism.

Frank L. Culbertson Jr. is a former U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut. He flew on three Space Shuttle missions: STS-38, STS-62, and STS-101. He served as commander of Expedition 3 aboard the International Space Station in 2001. During that mission, he was the only American not on Earth during the September 11 attacks. Culbertson logged over 170 days in space and contributed to numerous scientific and engineering experiments.