116 years ago today, on September 6, 1909 (July 22, 1909 lunar calendar), the battle to reach the North Pole first. The battle to conquer the North Pole caused a major debate as Navy Lieutenant Colonel Robert-E-Peary and Frederick-A-Cook both scrambled to claim to be the first to reach the North Pole. Peary announced on his arrival in Labrador on September 6 that he had reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909, but at the same time learned that Cook had issued a statement five days earlier that he had been to the North Pole on April 21, 1908. Cook used to be a colleague of Peary. He said he traveled with some Eskimos and buried the American flag in a metal tube at the northernmost tip of the earth. Cook's announcement was a surprise, so far only known as the first person to climb Mount McKinley. Now, people in Copenhagen are cheering for Cook, but Pieri challenges Cook's statement. Pieri said he arrived at the poles without finding any trace that others had already been there. He also said he spoke with two Eskimos who had traveled with Cook to the North Pole, and both said they returned after reaching a distance from the North Pole. The Royal Geological Society of London congratulated Piri and invited him to speak, but did not congratulate Cook. This is significant.