Columbus Makes Landfall in the Bahamas
Christopher Columbus made landfall in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, the first recorded Spanish landing in the Americas.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa Reaches the Pacific Ocean
On September 25, 1513, Balboa became the first European to sight the Pacific Ocean from the Americas, from a peak in Panama.
Ferdinand Magellan Sails from Spain to Circumnavigate the Globe
On September 20, 1519, Magellan sailed from Spain with five ships on the voyage that would become the first circumnavigation of the earth.
Magellan Finds the Strait at the End of South America
On October 21, 1520, Ferdinand Magellan's fleet entered the strait at the southern tip of South America, opening a route to the Pacific.
All Saints' Channel
Magellan's ships entered the strait that now carries his name on November 1, 1520, and reached the Pacific four weeks later.
The Victoria Completes the First Circumnavigation of the Globe
On September 6, 1522, the Victoria returned to Spain, the first ship to circumnavigate the globe, with 18 survivors and a cargo of cloves.
Francis Drake Returns to Plymouth After Circumnavigating the Globe
On September 26, 1580, Francis Drake returned to Plymouth after becoming the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe.
The Mayflower Sails from Plymouth for North America
On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth with 102 passengers. The 66-day crossing ended at Cape Cod, not the Hudson.
Thirteen German Families Found Germantown in Pennsylvania
Thirteen German families from Krefeld landed at Philadelphia on October 6, 1683, and founded Germantown.
Neptune Is Found Where the Mathematics Said It Would Be
On September 23, 1846, Neptune was observed at Berlin within a degree of the position predicted by Le Verrier's mathematics.
Howard Carter Finds the Tomb of Tutankhamun
On November 4, 1922, Howard Carter found the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings.
The Soviet Union Sends a Dog Into Orbit
On November 3, 1957, the USSR launched Sputnik 2 with Laika, the first animal in orbit.
Viking 2 Lands on Mars at Utopia Planitia
On September 3, 1976, Viking 2 landed on Mars at Utopia Planitia and ran the first experiments designed to detect life there.
NASA Launches Voyager 1 Toward the Outer Planets
On September 5, 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1, which later became the first human-made object to reach interstellar space.
The Galileo Spacecraft Is Launched to Jupiter
On October 18, 1989, the Galileo spacecraft was launched aboard the shuttle Atlantis on a six year journey to Jupiter.
Hikers Find Otzi the Iceman in the Alps
On September 19, 1991, hikers found Otzi the Iceman in the Otztal Alps, a natural mummy about 5,300 years old.
Mars Global Surveyor Reaches Mars Orbit
On September 11, 1997, Mars Global Surveyor entered orbit around Mars and went on to map the whole planet for nine years.
John Glenn Returns to Space at 77
On October 29, 1998, John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, returned to space at the age of 77 aboard the shuttle Discovery.
India Launches Its First Moon Mission
On October 22, 2008, India launched Chandrayaan-1, its first lunar mission, which found evidence of water on the Moon.