100 Years Of Antarctica Discovery

A celebration has taken place to mark 100 years since Roald Amundsen led the first expedition to the South Pole. On December 14, 1911, not long before the outbreak of World War I and with nationalism on the rise in Europe, the Norwegian explorer and four members of his team were the first to arrive at the southernmost tip of the globe, planting a Norwegian flag at the pole to mark their epic victory over British adventurer Robert Scott. On Wednesday dozens of scientists and explorers joined Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg at the South Pole to pay tribute to Amundsen and his team. Homage was also paid to Scott, known as Scott of the Antarctic, as well as to Scott's four companions, who all died on their return expedition. Mr Stoltenberg said it was important for him to make the journey south to honour "one of the most outstanding achievements of mankind", but also paid tribute to Scott and his men. "Scott and his team paid the ultimate price," he said. "Their names will forever be inscribed in Polar history," Mr Stoltenberg said, hailing "their courage and determination in reaching one of the most inhospitable places on earth." Mr Stoltenberg also unveiled an ice bust of Amundsen at the US scientific base station Amundsen Scott.