History of Antarctica

Captain Cook Crossed Antartica Circle

Jan 1, 1773

Captain James Cook was the first person to ever cross the Antarctic Circle but he never found Antarctica.

Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen

Jan 1, 1819

In 1819 Thaddeus Bellingshausen crossed the Antarctica circle after Captain James Cook but he found land in Antarctica.

Captain John Davis

Feb 7, 1821

Captain John Davis was the first person known to set foot on Antarctica's untouched land in 1821.

James Weddell discovers the sea that was named after him

Feb 13, 1823

James Weddell was a British whaler that discovered the sea that is named after him and after that he went to the most southerly point at that time 74° 15' S.

The 1840's

Apr 8, 1840

After sailing along continuous coastline Separate British, French and American expeditions establish the status of Antarctica as a continent. Also in 1840, James Clark Ross took two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, to within 80 miles of the coast until they were stopped by a massive ice barrier that is called the Ross Ice Shelf. James Clark Ross also discovers the active volcano name Erebus after his ship. And on the way identifies 145 new species of fish.

Carsten Borchgrevink leads a British expedition that landed men at Cape Adare and built huts.

Jan 24, 1895

The first person to live through the winter on the Antarctic mainland at Cape Adare was Carsten Borchgrevink. The focus was to determine the magnetic South Pole. Carsten Borchgrevink also surveyed the coast of Robertson Bay and collected specimens of fish, penguins seals and birds. They were the first to use dogs to transport them.

Captain Scott leads his first Antarctic expedition

Jun 16, 1901

Captain Scott directs his first Antarctic expedition to attempt to reach the South Pole, with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson. But they were forced to turn back after two months because it reached 82 degrees, suffering from snow blindness and scurvy.

Roald Amundsen

Dec 14, 1910

Expedition of five men reached the South Pole for the first time that was lead by Roald Amunden in 1910.

Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaches the South Pole to discover he has been beaten by Amundsen

Dec 14, 1911

Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaches the South Pole to discover he has been beaten by Amundsen. All of the five-man team that is Scott, Bowers, Evans, Oates and Wilson, are to perish on the return journey only 11 miles from a supply depot. Bodies are not discovered until November.

Douglas Mawson begins his travel across George V Land

Dec 1, 1912

In December Douglas Mawson begins his travel across George V Land back to his base at Commonwealth Bay. His two partners had died, and against the odds, he makes it home. A new part of the coast is found and explained, and radio is used for the first time in Antarctica.

Frist woman to step foot in Antarctica

May 9, 1935

The first ever woman to ever step foot in Antarctica was Caroline Mikkelsen, but there is no exact date known.

Operation Tabarin

Jan 27, 1943

Homes were made on Antarctica for the first time. As well as continuing a permanent presence on the continent, exploration, survey, and research were carried out.

Edith Ronne & Jennie Darlington

Mar 17, 1947

Edith Ronne and Jennie Darlington were the first women to survive on the continent, they were Americans.

International Geophysical Year 12 nations establish over 60 stations in Antarctica.

Period: Jul 1, 1957 to Dec 31, 1958

International Geophysical Year 12 nations establish up to 60 stations in Antarctica. The beginning of international assistance in Antarctica and the start of the process by which Antarctica becomes "non-national".