Let’s dive into the amazing story of Matthew Henson, a brave African American explorer who played a big role in exploring the Arctic. Even though he was super important, he didn’t always get the credit he deserved. His story is full of adventure, courage, and never giving up, even when things got tough.
Matthew Alexander Henson was born on August 8, 1866, in Maryland. When he was just 13 years old, he started working on a sailing ship, traveling to many places around the world. This early experience helped him learn about different cultures and environments, which was really useful later when he explored the Arctic.
In 1887, Henson met a famous explorer named Robert E. Peary and became his assistant. Together, they went on seven trips to the Arctic. During these adventures, Henson learned how to speak the Inuit language and picked up important survival skills to help him in the freezing Arctic.
Henson and Peary had a big dream: they wanted to be the first people to reach the North Pole. Their last expedition started on July 6, 1908, from Oyster Bay, New York. Even President Theodore Roosevelt wished them good luck! The team, which included four Inuit men, faced super cold temperatures, sometimes as low as 65 degrees below freezing!
In April 1909, Henson and the team got closer to the North Pole than anyone before them. But as they got near, Peary was too tired to continue. Henson and the Inuit crew went ahead, and Henson said they actually went past the North Pole before coming back to it. He proudly mentioned that his footprints were the first to mark the spot.
Even though Henson was a key part of the expedition, Peary got all the credit for reaching the North Pole. This was because, at that time, people often didn’t recognize the achievements of African Americans and other minority groups.
In 1947, Henson wrote a book about his adventures, including the exciting journey to the North Pole. Finally, in 1954, President Eisenhower invited him to the White House to honor his work.
Matthew Henson passed away on March 9, 1955, in the Bronx, New York. In 1988, his remains were moved to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., next to Peary’s, as a way to honor his achievements.
People might still argue about who really reached the North Pole first, but there’s no doubt that Matthew Henson’s skills and determination were crucial to the journey. His story reminds us of the important contributions of African Americans in history and the need to recognize everyone who has helped us understand our world better.
As we think about Henson’s legacy, we learn about the power of perseverance and the importance of celebrating the diverse stories that make up our shared history.
Map Your Own Adventure: Imagine you are an explorer like Matthew Henson. Draw a map of a place you would like to explore. It could be a real place or a made-up one! Think about what you might find there and what challenges you might face. Share your map with your classmates and explain why you chose this adventure.
Survival Skills Challenge: Matthew Henson learned important survival skills from the Inuit people. With a parent or teacher, research one survival skill that would be useful in a cold environment. Try to demonstrate this skill or create a simple model to show how it works. For example, you could learn how to build a small shelter using materials from around your home or school.
Footprints in History: Just like Henson left his footprints at the North Pole, think about how you can leave your “footprints” in the world. Write or draw about one thing you can do to make a positive impact in your community or school. Discuss with your classmates how small actions can lead to big changes.
