Anneliese's Antarctic history

James Cook crosses the Antarctic circle

Jan 9, 1773

James Cook and his crew crossed the Antarctic circle for the first time - BUT they did not sight Antarctica.

Ice shelf

Jan 27, 1820

Several expeditions claimed to sight the ice shelf.

First Landing

Feb 7, 1821

First known landing on continental Antarctica by American sealer Captain John Davis, though this is not acknowledged by all historians.

First expedition that reaches the South Pole

Dec 14, 1911

Norwegian Roald Amundsen leads a five men expedition that reaches the South Pole for the first time.

Sir George Wilkins

Jul 9, 1928

Australian Sir George Wilkins and American Carl Benjamin Eielson are the first to fly over Antarctica around the peninsula region.

Caroline Mikkelsen

Jul 9, 1935

First women to set foot on Antarctica from Norway who accompanied her husband, a whaling captain.

International Geophysical Year

Jul 1, 1957

12 nations established over 60 stations in Antarctica. The beginning of international cooperation in Antarctica and the start of the process by which Antarctica become "non-national".

Antarctic treaty comes into effect

Jul 9, 1961