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Captain James Cook
Captain James Cook crossed the Antarctic circle and sailed around Antarctica. Though at first he didn't see any land, deposits of rock seen in icebergs showed him that a southern continent existed. This is his comment that he made when he found Antarctica: "I make bold to declare that the world will derive no benefit from it". -
Bellingshausen
This event happened in between 1819 and 1821. Bellingshausen, a Russian naval officer in the Vostok and Mirny, sailed around the Antarctic, first to cross the Antarctic circle since Captain James Cook. He made the first sighting of the continent, reaching 69° 21'S, 2° 14'W in coordinates on the world. He described it as an "icefield covered with small hillocks." on Jan 27th 1820. He then made it back from his journey in 1821. -
1st known landing on continental Antarctica by American sealer Captain John Davis
In the winter of 1821, for the first time, a party of men spent a whole winter in Antarctica. An officer and ten men from a British sealing ship, the Lord Melville, had to spend the winter on King George Island (that is part of the South Shetlands group) north of the Antarctic Peninsula. The ship had been driven offshore and did not return to pick them up again. They were rescued however in the following summer. -
James Weddel
British whaler James Weddell discovers the sea named after him (Weddel Sea). No one else has managed to visit the Weddell sea again for 80 years. -
James Clark Ross
In 1840, British naval officer and scientist James Clark Ross took two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, to within 80 miles of the coast until stopped by a massive ice barrier, in which was called the Ross Ice Shelf (also when the Ross sea came in). He also discovered an active volcano that he named after his ship Erebus, and a scientist onboard managed to identify 145 new species of fish. -
Adrien de Gerlache
Adrien de Gerlache and the crew of the Belgica became trapped in pack ice of the Antarctic Peninsula in their first expeditin of the continent. They become the first to survive an Antarctic winter (without saftey) as their ship drifts with the ice. Of course they didn't enjoy it! -
Carsten Borchgrevink
Carsten Borchgrevink lead a British expedition that landed everyone at Cape Adare, and built hut. It has been believed by some historians to be the first confirmed landing on Antarctica. -
Robert Falcon Scott
Robert Falcon Scott, UK, leads his first Antarctic expedition to try to reach the South Pole, with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson. They are forced to turn back two months later having reached 82 degrees south, suffering from snow blindness and scurvy. -
Ernest Shackleton
Ernest Shackleton leads expedition to within 156km of the South Pole, and then turns back after supplies are exhausted. -
Douglas Mawson
Australian Douglas Mawson reaches the South Magnetic Pole. -
Roald Amundsen
Norwegian Roald Amundsen lead a expedition of 5 men that reached the South Pole for the first time. -
Robert Falcon Scott Beaten by Ronald Amundsen
Britain's Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaches the South Pole to discover he has been beaten by Ronald Amundsen. All of the five men (Scott, Bowers, Evans, Oates and Wilson),died on the return journey only 11 miles from the supply depot. Their bodies are not discovered until November.
December. -
Ernest Shackleton returns
October. Ernest Shackleton returns to Antarctica in an attempt to complete the first crossing of the continent. The goal is not obtained, but is one of the greatest adventures of all time. 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. -
Ross Sea Whaling
The beginning of large-scale factory ship whaling in the Ross Sea. -
The First to fly over
Australian Sir Hubert Wilkins and American Carl Benjamin Eielson are the first to fly over Antarctica around the peninsula region. -
Richard E. Byrd
Richard E. Byrd and three others - US - become the first to fly over the South Pole. -
Lincoln Ellsworth
Lincoln Ellsworth (U.S.A) flies across Antarctica. Caroline Mikkelsen, Norway, is the first woman to set foot on Antarctica when she accompanies her husband, who is a whaling captain. -
Operation Highjump
U.S.A sends the largest expedition ever, of over 4700 men, 13 ships and 23 airplanes to Antarctica. Most of the coast is photographed for map making. -
U.S.A Aircraft landing
U.S.A aircraft lands at South Pole. -
International Geophysical Year
International Geophysical Year (IGY) 12 nations establish over 60 stations in Antarctica. The event lasted untill the 31st of December, 1958. -
Antarctic treaty comes into effect
Antarctic treaty was an event that was signed in Washington by the twelve countries who's scientists have been active in antarctica. -
First person to cross Antarctica Unsupported
Boerge Ousland (from Norway) became the first person to cross Antarctica unsupported. Taking 64 days from Berkner Island to Scott base towing a 180kg sled using skis and a sail. -
International Polar Year
International Polar Year happend for two years researchers got the opportunity to work in both polar regions (North and South Pole), or to work in summer and winter if they wish.
