History
Ferdinand Magellan started sailing across the Atlantic Ocean in 1519. He was looking for a passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific. He died in 1521, on the Philippine Island of Mactan. Only 18 men survived the voyage, and returned to Europe in 1522.
Significance
Magellan wanted to reach the Indian Ocean by traveling west. He found the South American passage, now known as the Magellan Strait, and was the first European to see the American side of the Pacific Ocean. Although he was killed by islanders before returning to Europe, his journey proved that the trip was possible.
Effects
The effects of Magellan's circumnavigation of the Earth were not immediate. Spain was only interested in South America, and Portugal visited Asia by sailing around Africa. The horror of the trip, which cost the lives of around 240 men, made European powers reluctant to risk it, and it was not until 1577 that Sir Francis Drake repeated Magellan's feat.