Junko Tabei becomes first woman to reach top of Mt. Everest 40 years ago this hour (May 16 1975)

(Friday, May 16, 1975, 12:30 p.m. NPT) — Japanese climber Junko Tabei, 35, today became the first woman to reach the 29,2028-foot summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.