July 16

Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville was a French-Canadian naval officer and explorer renowned for founding the French colony of Louisiana in the late 17th century. Born in Quebec in 1661, he led multiple expeditions along the Gulf Coast, mapping its rivers and negotiating with indigenous nations. In 1699, he established Fort Maurepas in present-day Mississippi, laying the groundwork for New Orleans. D'Iberville also served in the French colonial administration, holding posts such as governor of French Louisiana and Newfoundland. His strategic vision and maritime skill expanded France's presence in North America and secured vital trade routes. He died during a military expedition in 1706, remembered as a key figure in early Canadian and American colonial history.

Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) was a Norwegian polar explorer famous for leading the first expedition to reach the South Pole in 1911. He was born in Borge, Norway, and developed his skills as a sailor and navigator early in life. Amundsen also achieved the first successful navigation of the Northwest Passage aboard the ship Gjøa between 1903 and 1906. His expeditions provided valuable scientific data on polar climates and geography. He disappeared in 1928 while on a rescue mission in the Arctic, cementing his legacy as one of history’s greatest explorers.

Andrzej Zawada was a pioneering Polish mountaineer and writer whose expeditions defined the era of high-altitude winter climbing. Born in 1928, he organized numerous winter ascents of Himalayan and Karakoram peaks, pushing the limits of human endurance in extreme conditions. His methodical approach to training and logistics set new standards for alpinists worldwide. Zawada documented his adventures in books and articles that combined vivid expedition narratives with reflections on leadership and resilience. He inspired a generation of climbers known as the 'Ice Warriors.' Zawada passed away in 2000, leaving a profound legacy in the history of mountaineering.