On this day

14 December in history.

5 moments from 1782 to 1962: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) in fur

1911

Amundsen reaches the South Pole. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his four companions became the first people to reach the South Pole.

Wikipedia: Roald Amundsen

Photo: Anonymous Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 14 December

  1. Portrait de Joseph de Montgolfier (1740-1810)

    1782

    The Montgolfiers test a balloon

    The Montgolfier brothers flew their first test hot-air balloon in France, without passengers. It floated nearly 2.5 km.

    Wikipedia: Montgolfier brothersWikipedia: Hot air balloon

    Photo: Unidentified painter / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Portrait of Bonar Law (1858–1923)

    1918

    Women vote in a UK general election

    The 1918 general election was the first in the United Kingdom in which women were allowed to vote.

    Wikipedia: 1918 United Kingdom general election

    Photo: Bain News Service / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device

    1948

    The first electronic game is patented

    Physicists Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann were granted a patent for their cathode-ray tube amusement device, the earliest known interactive electronic game.

    Wikipedia: Cathode-ray tube amusement deviceWikipedia: Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr.

    Photo: Thomas Tolivan Goldsmith Jr. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Mariner 2 Engineering Model

    1962

    Mariner 2 flies past Venus

    NASA's Mariner 2 became the first spacecraft to fly past Venus.

    Wikipedia: Mariner 2Wikipedia: Venus

    Photo: Eric Long/Smithsonian / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.