Significant Events in the History of Antarctica By Zoe.S Period: Jan 1, 1773 to Mar 19, 2002 Significant Events in the History of Antarctica May 22, 1773 Captain James Cook and his crew became the first men to cross the Antarctic circle. May 24, 1821 John Davis became arguably the first person to land on the continent. May 24, 1823 John Weddell went the farthest south into the antarctic. May 24, 1901 Scott ad Shackleton and three other men attempted to walk to the South Pole and were unsuccessful. Jan 24, 1909 Australian Douglas Mawson reaches the South Magnetic Pole. May 24, 1911 Race to the South Pole! The first successful trip was led by Amundsen. May 24, 1911 A British trip to the South Pole was led by Scott. He got there second. May 24, 1912 Scott died on his way back to his ship. Dec 8, 1914 Shackleton's crew reaches the Weddell sea. Jan 5, 1922 Ernest Shackleton died on South Georgia Island, at age 47, going back to Antarctica to visit. May 24, 1940 The first permanent settlement happened around this time. May 24, 1961 The Antarctic Treaty was signed by many nations. The Antarctic Treaty was signed by many antions, who pleded to use Antarctica only for scientific studies. May 24, 1987 The first baby was born on the continent.