On this day, Ferdinand Magellan became the first European to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the strait that would later be named after him, The Strait of Magellan.

Magellan was trying to find a quick way to reach the Spice Islands of Indonesia.

He took 5 ships, with 270 men. Only 3 of the ships entered the strait.

It took them 38 days to cross the continent.

Reports say that when the Ocean was sighted on the other side, Magellan wept with joy.

He would even name the Pacific on this journey. He named it so because it was so calm.

Magellan's expedition landed at the island of Guam on March 6, 1521.

Magellan died on April 27 during fighting against a tribe on the island of Mactan.

After his death, neither of the ships returned home via the Strait of Magellan.