December 14, 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen first reached the South Pole

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911, beating rival Robert Falcon Scott in a landmark achievement of polar exploration.

Amundsen's team used sled dogs and the Axel Heiberg Glacier route for efficiency, reaching the pole on December 14, 1911.

Roald Amundsen at the South Pole, December 1911. Source

Scott arrived January 17, 1912, but perished returning due to starvation and weather.

This victory showcased superior Norwegian tactics in the Heroic Age of exploration.