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Captain James Cook crosses the Antarctic Circle
1773: In January, Captain James Cook and his crew become the first men to cross the Antarctic Circle. -
Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen is the first to sight Antarctica
Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen made the first sighting of the continent - describing an "icefield covered with small hillocks." . This was the first time a continent had truly been "discovered". All sightings are of the Antarctic Peninsula -
Captain John Davis makes the first known landing on Antarctic
1st known landing on continental Antarctica by American sealer Captain John Davis. -
Period: to
"Heroic Age" of Antarctic exploration.
The saying among old Antarctic hands was;
"For scientific discovery give me Scott, for speed and efficiency of travel give me Amundsen, but when you back's against the wall and there's no hope left, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton". -
Roald Amundsen is the first to the South Pole
Norwegian Roald Amundsen leads a five man expedition that reaches the South Pole for the first time. -
Caroline Mikkelsen is the first woman on Antarctica
1935
Caroline Mikkelsen, Norway, is the first woman to set foot on Antarctica when she accompanies her husband, a whaling captain. -
Antarctic treaty comes into effect
Antarctic treaty is set up.
