Ferdinand Magellan

Born: 1480 Portugal

Died: 1521

Seeking fame & fortune, he was the first explorer to lead expedition sailing all the way around the world.

Set out from Spain in 1519 with fleet of 5 ships to find a western sea route to the Spice Islands.  Only 1 ship returned home 3 years later & only 18 of the fleet’s original crew of 270 remained; he himself was killed.

Expedition proved globe could be circled by sea but also that the world was larger than previously imagined.

1st European to cross Pacific Ocean giving it its name – “Mar Pacifico” (Portuguese for Peaceful Sea).

“The Church says that the Earth is flat, but I know that it is round. For I have seen the shadow on the moon…”