Matthew Henson was (with Robert Peary) the first man to reach the North Pole. This was an amazing accomplishment for Henson not only to be the first man but also to be the first African-American.

Henson did not receive the recognition he deserved until much later in life. Matthew and Peary reached the pole in 1909. It was not until 1924 that Henson received any recognition which was from Morgan State College. They gave Matthew Henson an honorary degree, Master of Science, for the work that he had done.

Later in life after Henson has passed away and been buried in New York his grave was moved to a much more honorable place. In 1989 Henson's grave was moved to Arlington National Cemetery , close to where Peary had been buried decades earlier.