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Today in History: Junko Tabei Becomes First Woman to Summit Everest

5/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 16 May 1975, Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei became the first woman to stand atop Mount Everest, the world’s 8,848-meter peak on the China-Nepal border. Leading a Japanese expedition, she reached the summit via the South Col route, breaking gender barriers in high-altitude climbing.

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Story summary

On 16 May 1975, Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei became the first woman to stand atop Mount Everest, the world’s 8,848-meter peak on the China-Nepal border. Leading a Japanese expedition, she reached the summit via the South Col route, breaking gender barriers in high-altitude climbing.