-
350
350 BC
the ancient Greeks first came up with the idea of Antarctica -
1773
Captain James Cook crosses the Antarctic circle and circumnavigates Antarctica, though he doesn't sight land -
1819 - 21
a Russian naval officer in the Vostok and Mirny circumnavigates the Antarctic, first to cross the Antarctic circle since Cook. He made the first sighting of the continent, reaching 69° 21'S, 2° 14'W - describing an "icefield covered with small hillocks." on Jan 27th 1820. For some considerable time, exactly who and when first set eyes on Antarctica were in dispute as British naval officers, William Smith and Edward Bransfield also saw Antarctica on Jan 30th the same year - followed by American -
February the 7th. 1st known landing
1st known landing on continantil Antarctica -
1840's
Separate British, French and American expeditions establish the status of Antarctica as a continent -
1901
Captain Scott, UK, leads his first Antarctic expedition to try to reach the South Pole, with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson. -
1909
Australian Douglas Mawson reaches the South Magnetic Pole. -
1961
Antarctic treaty comes into effect -
Period: to
2007-2009
International Polar Year - Actually Spans two years in order that researchers get the opportunity to work in both polar regions or work summer and winter if they wish.