Did you know that yesterday was the birthday of a very cold and exciting story? On April 5th, a long time ago, a teacher named Fran Phipps did something amazing. She became the first woman ever to stand at the North Pole!
What is the North Pole?
The North Pole is like the “roof” of our world. But it’s not made of floorboards or tiles!
- No Grass: There is no solid ground or dirt there.
- Giant Ice: It is made of huge pieces of ice floating on top of a very deep, chilly ocean.
- Lots of Sun: In the summer, the sun stays awake all night long! It never gets dark, even when it’s time for bed.
How did Fran get there?
Fran didn’t walk, and she didn’t take a boat. She flew in a tiny airplane with her husband!
When the plane landed and Fran stepped out, it was super cold. To stay warm, she had to wear:
- Lots and lots of woolly layers.
- A giant, fluffy hood to protect her face.
- Thick boots to keep her toes from turning into ice cubes!
Who lives there?
Even though it is too cold for most people to live there, it is the perfect home for Polar Bears! These big, white bears love the North Pole because they use the floating ice to help them find fish to eat.
Why is Fran a Hero?
By traveling to the very top of the world, Fran showed everyone that girls can be great explorers too! She proved that if you are brave and dress warmly, you can reach the most magical places on Earth.
Fun Fact: When you stand on the North Pole, every single direction you look is South!
