Int’l Mt Everest Day Celebration

May 29, 1953—a date etched in human history—marks the first successful ascent of Mount Everest (Chomolungma), the world’s highest peak at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 ft).

On this monumental day, Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal stood atop the summit, forever changing the landscape of mountaineering. Reflecting on the moment, Hillary told National Geographic in its July 1954 issue:

“We are there. Nothing above us, a world below.”

Since then, May 29 has been celebrated annually as International Mount Everest Day, honoring the courage, determination, and partnership between climbers and Sherpas that continue to inspire adventurers and mountain lovers around the globe.

International Mount Everest Day in New York State

In recognition of this historic milestone, the State of New York officially proclaimed May 29 as International Mount Everest Day through a resolution announced on May 24, 2022, at the New York State Assembly Hall in Albany.

The declaration was made in the presence of:
• Governor Kathy Hochul
• Assemblymember Jennifer Rajkumar
• Representatives from the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Consulate
• Members and leadership of the US Nepal Climbers Association Inc. (USNCA)
• Community leaders and supporting organizations

The official proclamation was ceremonially presented to USNCA on May 29, 2022, during a special event at the United Sherpa Association Inc. (USA) Hall. This recognition not only honors the triumph of Hillary and Norgay but also celebrates the enduring legacy of mountaineering, cultural exchange, and the vital role of Sherpa climbers in Himalayan exploration.

In 2023, the celebration reached a new milestone with the co-naming of a street in Jackson Heights, Queens, as “Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Way.” This lasting tribute recognizes the Sherpa community’s immense contributions to mountaineering and their deep cultural connection to Everest.

A Call for Climate Action

As we celebrate the legacy of Everest, we must also recognize the urgent need to protect the fragile Himalayan environment. Often called the “Third Pole,” the Himalayas are facing unprecedented threats from climate change, including glacial melt, biodiversity loss, and escalating environmental degradation.

International Mount Everest Day is not only a celebration of human achievement but also a powerful call to action—a reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve these sacred mountains for future generations.

Let us honor the past, celebrate the present, and protect the future of the Himalayas.