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Ernest Shackleton was a polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, and one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

After the race to the South Pole ended in December 1911 with Roald Amundsen's conquest, Shackleton turned his attention to the crossing of Antarctica from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately the inhabited island of South Georgia, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles and Shackleton's most famous exploit.

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Flag of Westarctica in Antarctica

• 15 Mar - Viceroys are appointed to rule the colonies of Westarctica.
• 5 Mar - The Duke of Denfeld is elected Senate Leader.
• 4 Jan - Westarctica joins the Conference of Santiago.
• 25 Nov - Grand Duke Travis attends the 2023 Dracul State Visit with Dracul.
• 23 Nov - The Flag of Westarctica arrives on the Antarctic Peninsula.
• 20 Nov - The Flag of Westarctica arrives at D'Hainaut Island.
• 7 Nov - The Senate of Westarctica renames McHenry Range and Tulier Glacier.
• 2 Nov - The 2023 Westarctica Conservation Scholarship is awarded to scientist Nathan Blake.

This month in history 01 April - The Westarctica Civilian Corps was created by the Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration. (2018) 01 April - The Duke of Moulton-Berlin is appointed Kapellmeister. (2020) 02 April - Pope John Paul II is posthumously made a Knight Commander of the Holy Order of The Cross. (2005) MicroCon 2015 Promotional Photo 06 April - Prince Rainier III of Monaco, a Knight in the Noble Order of Westarctica, passes away. The Knighthood is then bestowed upon his son, Prince Albert II. (2005) 11 April - A delegation from Westarctica attends the first MicroCon (pictured), hosted by the Republic of Molossia, in Anaheim, California. (2015) 13 April - The Constitutional Convention is convened to draft a formal Constitution of Westarctica. (2019) 17 April - While in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Grand Duchess Cathryn discovers she is pregnant with Prince Daniel Nicholas, the second heir to the Westarctican throne. (2005) 18 April - Grand Duke Travis writes to the Presidents of Laos and Eritrea requesting the immediate release of two religious prisoners being held because of their Christian faith. (2005) 20 April - Westarctica's first postage stamps are produced. (2005) 23 - 24 April - Grand Duke Travis hosted a delegation from the Republic of Saugeais, a French micronation, on a two-day diplomatic visit. (2018) 26 April - Molossia hosts the Prime Minister of Westarctica in a diplomatic visit. (2019) 28 April - The Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis is created by Royal Decree. (2023)

Featured Picture The Brown Skua is a large seabird that breeds in the subantarctic and Antarctic zones and moves further north when not breeding. Brown skuas are masters of piracy, they often feed by stealing partially digested fish from the the beaks of other birds. Their victims are typically terns or penguins, though other fish-eating species are also pursued until they disgorge their catches. The fact that skuas are swift and agile fliers (and that they sometimes gang up on a single victim) aid in their success rate. This is the heaviest species of skua and rivals even the largest gulls as the heaviest species in the shorebird order although not as large in length or wingspan. Photographer: Jenny Varley (More Images)

Quote of the Week "Although one of the harshest environments on the planet, Westarctica is also one of the most vulnerable. We must feel committed to protect for our next generation of Westarcticans." - Baron of Andrus

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