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Captain James Cook crosses Antarctic Circle
Captain James Cook and his crew become the first people to cross the Antarctic Circle. -
Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen sees Antarctica
Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen, a Russian naval officer, is the first person to set eyes on Antarctica. He describes it as an "icefield covered with small hillocks." -
John Davis becomes "first person to land on the continent"
John Davis lands on Antarctioa, though many historians do not agree to this -
James Weddell discovers the Weddell Sea
After his discovery, people still do not visit the Weddell Sea for another 80 years. -
Robert Falcon Scott leads his first expedition to the South Pole
Unfortunately, Scott has to return after two months due to snow blindness and scurvy. -
Shaskleton leads his first expedition to the South Pole
Then returns after 2 years, when supplies are extremely low. -
Douglas Mawson reaches the South Magnetic Pole
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Roald Amundsen becomes the first man to reach the South Pole
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Robert Falcon Scott becomes the second man to reach the South Pole
A month after Amundsen's victory, Scott finds that he's been beaten to it. -
Shakleton attempts to make the continent crossing
Shakleton attempts to be the first person to cross the continent. Unfortunately, his desire is not attained but their ship is crushed in sea ice and a small party sets out for South Georgia and the whaling station. Eventually, two years later, the party is rescued. -
Richard E Byrd and his crew become the first to fly over the South Pole
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The Antarctic Treaty and Research Stations
To celebrate International Geophysical Year, the Antarctic Treaty is signed and 12 nations establish over 60 stations in Antarctica. -
The Treaty comes into action