Today in History

May 29, 1953
Sitting on Top of the World
New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reach the summit of Mount Everest. Hillary is knighted for his efforts by Queen Elizabeth II, and will found a trust to improving educational opportunities and health care for the Nepalese. He dies in January 2008. The first attempt to summit Everest was in 1921; by 2008 more than 2,000 people will reach the top.



Today's Feature History Article

Finally, the Top of the World

A witness to the first ascent of Mount Everest 50 years ago this month recalls Edmund Hillary's aplomb, Tenzing Norgay's grace and other glories of the "last earthly adventure"




 



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