Born on August 7
Kon-Tiki Reaches Polynesia
101 days on a balsa raft.
Next: August 7, 2027
Where it comes from
On 7 August 1947 the balsa raft Kon-Tiki ran onto the reef at Raroia, in the Tuamotu Islands of Polynesia, and this Story marks the anniversary. It had left Callao, Peru, on 28 April with six men and a parrot aboard, led by the 33-year-old Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl.
How it's celebrated
The original raft is on display at the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, which tells the story of Heyerdahl's expeditions. To mark the day, watch the crew's own film of the voyage, read Heyerdahl's book about it, or trace the route on a map, from the coast of Peru across the open Pacific to a small atoll in Polynesia.
Did you know
The raft was built from nine large balsa logs lashed together with rope.
Read the full story of Kon-Tiki Reaches Polynesia
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