Arctic Day

What Is Arctic Day?

Every April 6th is "Arctic Day" (Hokkyoku no Hi) in Japan. On April 6, 1909 (Meiji 42), Robert Peary, a US Navy officer and explorer, is said to have become the first person to reach the North Pole. His journey by dogsled across the frozen ice toward 90 degrees north astonished the world at the time. It's a day to look back on the history of exploration into the unknown and to turn our attention to the nature and environment of the Arctic.

The History of Expeditions to the North Pole

Reaching the North Pole was a major goal for explorers in the early 20th century.

• Peary's expedition: After years of Arctic expeditions, on April 6, 1909, Peary reached the point he judged to be the North Pole together with his assistant Matthew Henson and four Inuit men. Henson and the Inuit supported the expedition.
• The dispute over who was first: After Peary returned, his former companion Frederick Cook claimed that he had already reached the Pole on April 21, 1908, sparking a controversy. Cook's claim was rejected, but questions remain about Peary's record as well; later analyses have suggested he may have stopped a little short of the Pole.

How the Arctic Differs from the Antarctic

Both are polar regions, but the Arctic and Antarctic are completely different places.

• The Arctic is a frozen sea: While Antarctica is a "continent" covered by thick ice, the North Pole lies on sea ice floating on the Arctic Ocean. Because the sea ice is constantly moved by currents and wind, it's impossible to leave a permanent marker at the North Pole.
• Shrinking sea ice: White sea ice reflects sunlight, but as it shrinks, the ocean surface absorbs more heat, further accelerating warming. The Arctic is warming faster than the global average, a phenomenon known as "Arctic amplification."

Interesting Facts About the Arctic

• Where "Arctic" comes from: The English word "Arctic" comes from a Greek word meaning "(near the) bear." The bear here is not the animal but the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear) in the northern sky. Incidentally, polar bears live in the Arctic, while penguins live only in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Magnetic north and the North Pole: The "north magnetic pole" that a compass points to does not match the geographic North Pole on maps. The magnetic pole keeps moving as Earth's magnetic field changes.
• Midnight sun and polar night: In the Arctic, the sun doesn't set for a period in summer ("midnight sun"), and it doesn't rise for a period in winter ("polar night").
• The first solo dogsled journey: In 1978, Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura became the first person in the world to reach the North Pole solo by dogsled.
• Japan's Arctic research station: Japan's National Institute of Polar Research has an observation station at Ny-Alesund in Svalbard, Norway, where observations of the atmosphere, snow, and ice continue.

Tips for Marking Arctic Day

• Review small actions you can take for the global environment, such as saving electricity and reducing waste
• Learn about Arctic wildlife such as polar bears and seals through field guides or documentaries
• Read accounts by explorers who took on the polar regions, such as Peary and Naomi Uemura
• Look at photos of auroras and icebergs and let your thoughts wander to the faraway polar wilderness

A Step on the Ice Awakens Our Curiosity About the Unknown

April 6th is a day to think about the explorers who aimed for the top of the map and about the Arctic's natural world. The records of those who ventured into the frozen north remind us of the value of curiosity in stepping into the unknown. As you take on new challenges this fiscal year, why not step forward with an explorer's spirit?