September 01

Born in 1491 in Saint-Malo, Cartier led three major voyages to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence between 1534 and 1542. He was the first European to map the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Saint Lawrence River. Cartier claimed parts of present-day Canada for France, naming them 'Canada' after the Huron word for village. His explorations provided maps and reports that fueled French ambitions in the New World. Despite facing harsh winters and resistance from indigenous peoples, his expeditions marked a turning point in transatlantic exploration. He died in 1557 in Saint-Malo, leaving a legacy as a key figure in the age of discovery.

Born in 1565 into a merchant family in Amsterdam, de Houtman commanded the first Dutch voyage to Indonesia (1595-1597). His expedition broke the Portuguese monopoly on the spice trade by reaching the Maluku Islands. Despite facing scurvy, conflict, and high mortality, he returned with valuable spices and maps. His achievements spurred the founding of the Dutch East India Company in 1602. De Houtman died in 1599 during a subsequent voyage near Aceh, Sumatra, solidifying his role in global trade history.

Born in 1770 in Virginia, William Clark forged a lifelong friendship with Meriwether Lewis that led to their joint leadership of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806). Charged by President Thomas Jefferson, the duo mapped the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and established relations with numerous Native American tribes. After the expedition, Clark served as the Governor of the Missouri Territory and later as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. His detailed journals and maps provided invaluable information about the American West and paved the way for westward expansion. Clark's contributions as a soldier, diplomat, and public official made him a key figure in early United States history.

Born in 1861 in Minnesota, Burnham rose to prominence as a master scout during the Apache Wars in the American Southwest. His talents led him to serve with British forces in southern Africa during the Second Boer War, where he conducted critical reconnaissance missions. Burnham's daring adventures also took him to Mexico and Central America, participating in revolutionary causes and treasure-hunting expeditions. A mentor to Robert Baden-Powell, he helped lay the foundation for the international Scouting movement by sharing his wilderness survival techniques. Known as the 'King of Scouts,' he authored memoirs recounting his extraordinary life on the frontier. Burnham died in 1947, remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of scouting and adventure.