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See also BBC: Black Peoples of the Americas Bundle.

Please ensure you can access the film before getting this resource. In 1909, the North Pole was the subject of a heated controversy: Who had made it there first, Robert Peary or Frederick Cook? But overlooked in the debate was a third explorer, a Black man named Matthew Henson.

This film gives a detailed account of Henson’s life, achievements, and legacy, concentrating on his polar expeditions. It covers: his backstory; meeting Robert Peary; a history of Arctic Exploration; relationships with the Inuit; attempts to reach the North Pole; the final expedition; the North Pole controversy - who was first? Henson’s legacy.

Find the film by searching YouTube’s PBS Origins channel for “The Black Explorer Erased From History".

15 questions for the 13-min film. Differentiated: both versions look similar, but “B” version has subtle clues. Excellent subtitles: scripted, not auto-generated brainrot. Answer sheet. Very easy to mark. .doc & .pdf for all files. Link to film on all sheets.