New Zealand - Everest & Hillary
50th Conquest of Everest anniversary (2003)
The 50th anniversary of the first succesful everest exploration was celebrated in 2003. NZ postal authority has issued a set of two stamps to commemorate the event. The stamps were issued on May 29, 2003. The historic conquest of Everest by Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay was on May 29, 1953. Read more about it - here.
50th Conquest of Everest anniversary (2003)
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A New Zealander Edmund Hillary was the first man to set foot on the peak of Everest. He died in Auckland on January 11, 2008 at the age of 88. A special stamp was issued in honor of his death. The commemorative set consist of five stamps were issued on November 5, 2008.
Edmund Hillary (1919-2008)
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Mount Everest (1953)
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Trans-Antartic Expedition (1955-58)
The stamp shows Sir Edmund on the tractor used when he led a New Zealand group taking part in the British Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1958. Sir Edmund’s group was the first to reach the South Pole overland since Amundsen in 1911 and Scott in 1912, and the first to use motor vehicles. (Source - click here)
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Knight of the Garter (1995)
Sir Edmund in the regalia of a Knight of the Garter, the highest possible achievement in the UK honours system. He also received a number of other honours, including the Padma Vibhushan, the Indian Government’s second highest civilian honour, the Polar Medal and the Order of New Zealand.
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Himalayan Trust (1964- )
In 1960, Sir Edmund established the Himalayan Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the conditions and lives of a people in desperate need of schools and medical services. In four decades, Sir Edmund helped to establish more than 30 schools, two hospitals, 12 medical clinics and two airstrips to make it easer to bring in supplies. Sir Edmund is pictured with Nepalese children.
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