May 12

Born Antonius Hennepin in 1626 in present-day Belgium, Louis Hennepin joined the Recollect missionaries and traveled to New France in 1675. He accompanied explorer René-Robert Cavelier de La Salle on expeditions down the Mississippi River and ventured into the Upper Midwest. Hennepin is credited with the first European accounts of Niagara Falls and Saint Anthony Falls in present-day Minnesota. His published works, including 'Description de la Louisiane,' captivated European audiences with vivid geographical and ethnographic details. After returning to Europe, he continued to write about his adventures until his death around 1705.

Orélie-Antoine de Tounens (1825-1878) was a French lawyer who ventured to South America in 1858. He formed alliances with Mapuche tribes and declared himself King of Araucanía and Patagonia in 1860. His self-declared kingdom was never recognized by Chile or Argentina, leading to his arrest and expulsion. De Tounens made several attempts to return but remained unacknowledged by European powers. His quixotic quest sparked debates on sovereignty and inspired literary and historical works. He died in France, remembered as a romantic adventurer and would-be monarch of an imaginary realm.

He participated in expeditions with Roald Amundsen, exploring the Arctic regions. In 1925, he made one of the first trans-Arctic flights by airplane. He later funded and joined Richard E. Byrd's Antarctic expeditions, mapping uncharted areas. His aerial surveys contributed to the understanding of polar geography and ice formations. He received numerous awards for his achievements in exploration and aviation. His legacy lives on in polar research and mapping techniques.