March 29

Born in 1883 in Scotland, Bowers joined the Royal Indian Marine before volunteering for Scott's British Antarctic expedition of 1910–1913. Known for his unwavering stoicism and navigational expertise, he was chosen for the five-man party that reached the South Pole in January 1912. Although the team arrived after Amundsen, Bowers played a vital role in hauling sledges and maintaining morale under extreme conditions. During the treacherous return journey, he, Scott, and two companions succumbed to starvation and exposure. Bowers's journals reveal his dedication and bravery, securing his place in the history of polar exploration.

Born in 1868 in Devon, Scott first sailed to Antarctica on the Discovery Expedition (1901–1904), gaining vital polar experience. As leader of the Terra Nova Expedition (1910–1913), he reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to find Roald Amundsen had preceded him. Scott and his party faced brutal weather, dwindling supplies, and exhaustion on their return, leading to their tragic deaths in March 1912. His detailed diaries and letters, recovered later, convey a narrative of courage, determination, and scientific inquiry. Scott's legacy endures through his contributions to polar science and the enduring story of human resilience in extreme environments.

Born in 1872 in Cheltenham, Wilson pursued medicine at Cambridge while nurturing passions for natural history and illustration. He joined Scott's Discovery Expedition (1901–1904) and later the Terra Nova Expedition (1910–1913) as chief scientist and medical officer. Wilson collected specimens of Antarctic flora and fauna, contributing significantly to early polar science. His talent for drawing yielded detailed sketches and watercolors that documented the Antarctic landscape and wildlife. Wilson perished with Scott and Bowers during the expedition's return, leaving behind scientific papers and artworks that continue to inform our understanding of the Antarctic ecosystem.

Helge Ingstad was a Norwegian lawyer, academic, and explorer best known for his 1960 discovery of the Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. Combining legal scholarship with field archaeology, he provided definitive proof of Norse presence in North America centuries before Columbus. Ingstad documented his findings in several influential books and promoted cultural understanding between Norway and Canada. His work revolutionized the study of Viking exploration and inspired decades of archaeological research. He received numerous honors for his trailblazing contributions to history and heritage.