Although his team reached the pole in 1909, Henson wouldn't be recognized for it until years later

February is all about celebrating black history, and throughout the month we'll be honoring influential African Americans whose stories you might not yet know. Some are pioneers in their field, some helped spark the civil rights movement, and all have contributed incredible things to not only black history, but to the history of the United States as a whole.Watch the video above to discover the incredible story of Matthew Henson, the first African American arctic explorer to reach the North Pole.

February is all about celebrating black history, and throughout the month we'll be honoring influential African Americans whose stories you might not yet know. Some are pioneers in their field, some helped spark the civil rights movement, and all have contributed incredible things to not only black history, but to the history of the United States as a whole.

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Watch the video above to discover the incredible story of Matthew Henson, the first African American arctic explorer to reach the North Pole.

