August 03

In 1527, John Rut, sailing under the English flag, penned a letter from St. John's, Newfoundland, to London. This document is the oldest surviving letter written and dispatched from North American soil. Rut's correspondence detailed local conditions, fishing prospects, and navigational challenges. The letter offers valuable insight into early English efforts to exploit Newfoundland’s cod fisheries. It represents a key moment in the emergence of transatlantic communication and commerce. Historians regard it as a rare primary source on 16th-century maritime exploration.

On August 3, 1811, Swiss mountaineers Johann Rudolf and Hieronymus Meyer became the first climbers to reach the summit of Jungfrau, standing at 4,158 meters in the Bernese Alps. Their successful expedition followed careful planning and guides' knowledge of the region's glaciers. This pioneering ascent opened the door to alpine exploration and inspired future mountaineers to conquer Europe's highest peaks. The journey highlighted the challenges of high-altitude climbing and the beauty of the Alpine environment. Today, the Jungfrau remains a popular destination for climbers and tourists, commemorating this historic achievement.