December 08

Melchior Anderegg was born in 1828 in Zaun, Switzerland. As one of the first professional mountain guides, he led climbers on inaugural ascents of peaks such as the Wetterhorn and Aletschhorn. His skill and judgment made him a sought-after guide by British and European alpinists. Anderegg's contributions helped establish mountaineering as a recognized sport and profession. He documented techniques and routes that informed future generations of climbers. He passed away in 1914, celebrated as a key figure in 19th-century Alpine exploration.

Born in 1903, Ernst Krenkel trained as a radio operator and became a key figure in Soviet polar research. He served as chief radio operator on the first drifting ice station North Pole-1, maintaining vital communications under extreme Arctic conditions. Krenkel participated in numerous expeditions, conducting geographical surveys and meteorological observations in uncharted territories. His achievements earned him the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the naming of Krenkel Island in his honor. After World War II, he continued scientific research and lectured on polar exploration. Krenkel died in 1971, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of polar science.

John Glenn was a decorated US Marine Corps fighter pilot and test pilot before becoming one of NASA's original Mercury Seven astronauts. In 1962, he made history as the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7. Glenn later served as a US Senator from Ohio for 24 years, championing science, technology, and veterans’ affairs. In 1998, at age 77, he became the oldest person to fly in space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. He received numerous awards, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Glenn's career bridged pioneering space exploration and public service, making him an enduring symbol of American achievement.