Antarctic Timeline by Samantha Di Benedetto

Antarctic Historical Timeline

Period: Jan 1, 1773 to Dec 31, 2009

Captain James Cook

Jan 31, 1773

In January 1773, Captain James Cook crosses the Antarctic circle and circumnavigates Antarctica, though he doesn't sight land

Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen

Jan 31, 1819

1819 - 21
Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen a Russian naval officer in the Vostok is the first to cross the Antarctic circle since Cook.

Captain John Davis

Feb 7, 1821

The first known landing on continental Antarctica by American sealer Captain John Davis

James Weddell

Jan 31, 1823

British whaler James Weddell reaches the most southerly point at that time 74° 15' S.

Antarctica established as a continent

Jan 31, 1840

Separate British, French and American expeditions establish the status of Antarctica as a continent after sailing along continuous coastline.

Adrien de Gerlache

Mar 1, 1898

Adrien de Gerlache and the crew of the "Belgica" become trapped in pack ice off the Antarctic Peninsula in the first scientific expedition to the continent.

Carsten Borchgrevink

Jan 1, 1899

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

Captain Scott

Jan 1, 1901

Captain Scott leads his first Antarctic expedition to try to reach the South Pole, with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson.

Ernest Shackleton

Jan 1, 1907

1907 - 1909 Ernest Shackleton leads expedition to within 156km / 97mls of the South Pole

Douglas Mawson

Jan 31, 1909

Australian Douglas Mawson reaches the South Magnetic Pole.

Roald Amundsen

Dec 14, 1911

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

Robert Falcon Scott

Jan 8, 1912

Britain's Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaches the South Pole to discover he has been beaten by Amundsen. All of the five man team (Scott, Bowers, Evans, Oates and Wilson), perish on the return journey only 11 miles from supply depot.

Douglas Mawson

Dec 1, 1912

Douglas Mawson begins his trek across George V Land back to his base at Commonwealth Bay. A new section of coast is discovered and described, and radio is used for the first time in Antarctica.

Ernest Shackleton

Oct 1, 1915

Ernest Shackleton returns to Antarctica in an attempt to complete the first crossing of the continent. Their ship is crushed in the sea ice and a small party sets out for South Georgia and the whaling station. The party is eventually rescued in 1917.

Richard E. Byrd

Jan 1, 1923

Richard E. Byrd and three others from the United States become the first to fly over the South Pole.

Antarctic Treaty

Dec 1, 1961

Antarctic treaty comes into effect

Boerge Ousland

Jan 1, 1997

Boerge Ousland (Norway) becomes first person to cross Antarctica unsupported. Taking 64 days from Berkner Island to Scott base towing a 180kg (400lb) sled and using skis and a sail.