The American Geographical Society (A.G.S.), founded in 1851, celebrated its 175th anniversary with a ceremonial globe signing at the Explorers Club. The Fliers & Explorers Globe, donated in 1929 by former Times editor and A.G.S. president John Finley, has been signed by many notable explorers, including Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Sir Edmund Hillary. Jerome Dobson, an A.G.S. president emeritus, noted that Finley would have explorers sign the globe upon their return from expeditions. The globe has also been signed by astronauts such as John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, and on this occasion, it was signed by Kathryn Sullivan, the first person to walk in space and visit the Mariana Trench.
During the event, a gathering of geographers convened in the library bar around a replica of the globe. Marie Price, the current A.G.S. president, encouraged attendees to interact with the globe. The library featured an icy-exploration theme, including a taxidermied polar bear and a signed portrait of Ernest Shackleton. Dobson reflected on the globe's previous lack of recognition and his efforts to invite new signatories, including notable figures like Neil Armstrong and Don Walsh.
Sullivan, at 75 years old, approached the globe to sign it and shared her experiences with deep-sea exploration and space travel. She described the challenges of both environments and the thrill of space travel, emphasizing the dramatic nature of launching into space. Sullivan recalled her admiration for explorers and astronauts during her childhood and expressed her desire to lead a life of inquiry and adventure, inspired by those whose signatures now adorn the globe.