February 15, 1953: British forces landed on Deception Island (South Shetland Islands) and destroyed the Argentine Refuge, Lieutenant Lasala (picture attached), as well as a nearby Chilean Refuge. They even demanded passports and visas to remain in what they considered “British Territory.”
The Argentines rejected this demand, reaffirming that they were on Argentine territory. The destruction of the buildings, including the removal of national symbols, prompted a strong diplomatic protest.
Argentina had inaugurated that Refuge less than a month earlier (on January 17, 1953) at coordinates 62° 56′ South and 60° 36′ West. An Argentine Navy officer, two non-commissioned officers, and a geologist participated in that Antarctic campaign.
The episode was a tense precedent in the region before the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, which established the peaceful use of the Continent.
On February 13, 1956, the first Russian Antarctic Research Station was opened on the Davis Sea coast marking the beginning of continuous scientific observations in Antarctica.
The expedition was led by the famous polar explorer and outstanding polar researcher, the head of the drifting station “North Pole-2”, Hero of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Mikhailovich Somov. (pic aside)
In addition to the 7Øth Anniversary of Mirny Station, it is also interesting to know that, on Jan 5, 1956, the diesel-electric ship Ob carrying a team of Soviet scientists and polar explorers reached the Antarctic continent. From that day onward, large-scale national research in Antarctica began. The work of these pioneers is still carried forward today by the Russian Antarctic Expedition of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (
He is on board of the Research Icebreaker since a couple days now and plans to participate in 
In memory of the 1st Italian Base in Antarctica, Saturday, February 7th, 2026, members of the ARI (Italian Amateur Radio Association) of Grado gathered early on Schiusa Island, operating a SES “
Of Roman origin, Grado (gradus, landing) was founded in the 2nd century AD as fisherman’s village and, later, harbour for ships sailing up the river Natissa towards Aquileia. Grado developed, around the middle of the 5th century AD, when many inhabitants fled to the island to escape the devastating Hun hordes led by Attila which, in 452 AD, destroyed nearby Aquileia. During that eventful period, the Patriarch of Aquileia moved to Grado and proclaimed himself Patriarch of this site. Grado remained an independent Patriarch site until 1451 even if, in the middle of the 12th century, the Patriarch himself moved his residence to Venice.
DL1RUN Karsten Stephan, is a keen Antarctic hunter and owner of Special Event Stations to celebrate Antarctica: DAØANT (WAP-128), DQ6ØANT (
While earlier expeditions explored, the GvN in 1981 established consistent year-round research, fulfilling the “5Ø years ago” timeframe and solidifying German scientific commitment.