It’s amazing what you can learn when you tiptoe through the lighter reading in the news. One of my favorite columns is called “This Day In History,” on HISTORY.com, where I have found frequently fascinating, and sometimes oddball, items nearly every day.

Yesterday’s discovery falls into the “fascinating” category, simply because I was totally ignorant of any facts concerning Antarctica other than: (1) it is a continent, (2) it is very cold, and (3) it is the home of those adorable, tuxedo-clad, tap-dancing penguins.

What I did not know was that it is a military-free continent, by dint of a treaty signed in 1959 by twelve nations, including the United States and the then Soviet Union.

It seems that several countries — including Great Britain, Australia, Chile and Norway — had since the 1800s attempted to lay claim to parts of Antarctica, leading to diplomatic disputes. In 1948, Argentine military forces even fired on British troops in an area that both had claimed as theirs.

In addition, the Soviet Union was showing increasing interest in the frozen continent, leading to the United States’ proposal — ultimately unsuccessful — that Antarctica be made a trustee of the United Nations.

Then, in the 1950s, some officials in the U.S. itself suggested that it might be a useful location in which to conduct nuclear tests. Fortunately for the penguins, however, then-President Eisenhower took the diplomatic approach and managed to push through a treaty setting Antarctica aside as a military-free zone, though permitting scientific ventures, and postponing the settlement of territorial claims.

The Antarctic Treaty was signed on December 1, 1959, by Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the USSR. It went into effect in 1961, and has since been acceded to by 57 parties. The original 12 parties, plus others that conduct substantial research there, meet annually to consult and agree on measures to support the treaty.

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The first thing that entered my mind on digesting this tidbit of history was the relative ease with which a treaty was hammered out between the fiercely adversarial nations of the United States and the Soviet Union, and acceded to by ten others . . . and how well it has held up for more than 60 years. If only we could carry that spirit of cooperation forward to the present time . . .

But, unfortunately, “if only” gets us nowhere.

My second thought was: “That’s where I want to live!”

No, I’m serious. Sure, I’d miss the change of seasons; but I prefer cold weather to the heat and humidity of summer. There would be plenty of scientists around for company. And I’m sure Amazon would figure out a way to deliver life’s little necessities — maybe not overnight, but quickly enough.

And what are a few little inconveniences when you’re talking about a completely peaceful, conflict-free home, where the only jabbering comes from the thousands of black-and-white birds going through their annual rituals.

Now, that’s my idea of happiness. Anyone care to join me?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/2/24