Ferdinand Magellan Expedition

Magellan Departure

Aug 10, 1519

He Departure and crossed the Atlantic ocean on the 10 Aug 1519. Ferdinand Magellan of Portugal did what Columbus had set out to do: he found a western sea route to Asia. He followed the South American coast southward from Brazil. In 1520 he passed around the tip of South America into the Pacific Ocean. Magellan died, but his crew kept sailing west. They went past the southern tip of Africa back to Spain. This was the first voyage around the world.

Magellan crosses the equator

Nov 27, 1519

On 27 November the expedition crossed the equator

Magellan sees South America

Dec 6, 1519

on 6 December the crew sighted South America.

Magellan found Cape Virgenes

Oct 21, 1520

On 21 October, the fleet reached Cape Virgenes and concluded they had found the passage, because the waters were brine and deep inland. Four ships began an arduous trip through the 373-mile (600 km) long passage that Magellan called the Estrecho.

Megellan dies

Apr 27, 1521

Sources say Magellan was born in Portugal around the year 1480. He died on Mactan Island in the Phillipines on April 27. 1521. He was killed in a fight with the people of the islands.

Magellan’s ship returned to Spain

Sep 8, 1522

After Magellan’s death two of his ships continued westward. One ship made it across the Indian Ocean and around the southern tip of Africa. It returned to Spain on September 8, 1522.