May 3rd 1952; the first airplane landed at the geographic North Pole.

While Fletcher and Benedict have the undisputed distinction of being the first to land a plane at the North Pole, Fletcher may arguably be the first man to stand on the exact geographic North Pole as well. Historically, explorer Robert Peary was considered to be the first man to reach the North Pole. His claim was recognized by Congress in 1911, after bitter argument between his supporters and those of Dr. Frederick Cook, who claimed to have reached the Pole ahead of Peary. In recent years, some studies have suggested that neither Cook nor Peary actually reached the exact North Pole. In January 1990, National Geographic Magazine published the results of a study by the Navigation Foundation, which concluded, after a thorough review of Peary’s navigation methods, diary and other evidence, that Peary did indeed reach the exact North Pole. Although his claim continues to be debated by many, Peary is still officially recognized as the first person to reach the North Pole. Fletcher is the first person to have undisputedly done so.