Western Expansion & Reform (1829-1859) Peary on his boat, the "Roosevelt," departs from New York for the North Pole in 1905 MPEG Format (36.8 MB) Help With Video Credits Arctic Explorer Robert E. Peary Was Born May 6, 1856 The ship they were traveling on failed to make it through the ice. They tried again in 1908, setting out with 24 companions and 133 dogs. This time, according to their calculations, they made it to the North Pole on April 6, 1909. But scientists discovered in 1989 that Peary and Henson were actually just short of the Pole. Still, Peary and Henson showed that exploration was possible in Arctic regions and paved the way for future explorers. Have you ever done something that made it easier for the next person to do the same thing? page 4 of 4 Library Of Congress | Legal Notices | Privacy | Site Map | Contact Us VIDEO CREDIT: Bitzer, G.W. "Departure of Peary [and] Roosevelt from New York," 1905. Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division, Library of Congress. Reproduction Number LC 1995.