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Jan 1, 1519
Spain sailor is first to discover
In September, Ferdinand Magellan sails from Spain in search of a westerly route to the Indies. Sailing down the coast of South America he discovered the narrow straight passing through to the Pacific Ocean which today bears his name. -
Captain cook crosses antarctic circle
In January, Captain James Cook and his crew become the first men to cross the Antarctic Circle. -
Bellinghausen returns to Antarctica
In January, Bellingshausen returns to the Antarctic waters and discovers Peter I Island and the Alexander Islands. He completes a circumnavigation of Antarctica being only the second explorer, after Cook, to do so. -
Scott and his crew
In January, Bellingshausen returns to the Antarctic waters and discovers Peter I Island and the Alexander Islands. He completes a circumnavigation of Antarctica being only the second explorer, after Cook, to do so. -
Douglas Mawson
In January, Edgeworth David, Douglas Mawson and Alistair McKay reach the South Magnetic Pole -
Antarctic Treaty
In December, the twelve leading nations participating in the IGY sign the "Antarctic Treaty" in Washington, DC. The treaty was framed as an agreement so the continent "shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes". The treaty came into effect in 1961 and guarantees access and scientific research in all territory south of 60° latitude.