On This Day
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British explorer Edward Bransfield aboard Williams sights Trinity Peninsula, Antarctica, claiming it for Britain

The history of Antarctica emerges from early Western theories of a vast continent, known as Terra Australis, believed to exist in the far south of the globe.

The history of Antarctica emerges from early Western theories of a vast continent, known as Terra Australis, believed to exist in the far south of the globe. The term Antarctic, referring to the opposite of the Arctic Circle, was coined by Marinus of Tyre in the 2nd century AD.

The rounding of the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn in the 15th and 16th centuries proved that Terra Australis Incognita ("Unknown Southern Land"), if it existed, was a continent in its own right. In 1773, James Cook and his crew crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time. Although he discovered new islands, he did not sight the continent itself.

Historical Significance

The history of Antarctica emerges from early Western theories of a vast continent, known as Terra Australis, believed to exist in the far south of the globe.

Events Before

  1. British colonial officer Stamford Raffles lands in Singapore

    British colonial officer Stamford Raffles lands in Singapore

  2. Stamford Raffles founds Singapore as a British trading post

    Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles (5 July 1781 – 5 July 1826) was a British colonial official who served as the governor of the Dutch East Indies between 1811 and 1816 and lieutenant-governor of…

  3. Godert van der Capellen, becomes Governor-General of Dutch East Indies

    Godert Alexander Gerard Philip, Baron van der Capellen (Utrecht, 15 December 1778 – De Bilt, 10 April 1848) was a Dutch statesman.

  4. The Adams–Onís Treaty between Spain and the United States is signed, ceding Florida to the US and defining the boundary

    The Adams–Onís Treaty between Spain and the United States is signed, ceding Florida to the US and defining the boundary between the US and New Spain

  5. Territory of Arkansas organized

    The Arkansas Territory was a territory of the United States from July 4, 1819, to June 15, 1836, when the final extent of Arkansas Territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Arkansas.

Events After

  1. Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero agree to the Plan of Iguala, stating that Mexico will become a constitutional m

    Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero agree to the Plan of Iguala, stating that Mexico will become a constitutional monarchy, Roman Catholicism the official religion, and both Peninsulares and Creoles will enjoy equal political and social rights

  2. King of Sennar, Badi VII, surrenders his throne and realm to General Ismail Pasha of the Ottoman Empire, bringing the 30

    King of Sennar, Badi VII, surrenders his throne and realm to General Ismail Pasha of the Ottoman Empire, bringing the 300-year-old Sudanese kingdom to an end

  3. Russian Antarctic expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen returns to Kronstadt after being the first to cir

    Russian Antarctic expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen returns to Kronstadt after being the first to circumnavigate Antarctica

  4. Act of Independence of Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua declare their indepen

    Act of Independence of Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua declare their independence from the Spanish Empire

  5. Fall of Tripolitsa: Greek forces massacre 6,000 to 15,000 Muslim and Jewish civilians during the Greek War of Independen

    Fall of Tripolitsa: Greek forces massacre 6,000 to 15,000 Muslim and Jewish civilians during the Greek War of Independence

More from the 1820s

Godert van der Capellen resigns as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies

Godert van der Capellen resigns as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies

The Dutch Trading Company (NHM) is granted a monopoly on the sale of opium in Java and Madura

The Dutch Trading Company (NHM) is granted a monopoly on the sale of opium in Java and Madura

Naturalist and entomologist Thomas Say (39) secretly weds natural science illustrator Lucy Way Sistare (26)

Naturalist and entomologist Thomas Say (39) secretly weds natural science illustrator Lucy Way Sistare (26)

American religious leader Joseph Smith Jr (21) weds future church group movement leader Emma Hale (22) in South Bainbrid

American religious leader Joseph Smith Jr (21) weds future church group movement leader Emma Hale (22) in South Bainbridge, New York, until his death in 1844

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 30, 1820?
The history of Antarctica emerges from early Western theories of a vast continent, known as Terra Australis, believed to exist in the far south of the globe. The term Antarctic, referring to the opposite of the Arctic Circle, was coined by Marinus of Tyre in the 2nd century AD. The rounding of the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn in the 15th and 16th centuries proved that Terra Australis Incognita ("Unknown Southern Land"), if it existed, was a continent in its own right.
Why is British explorer Edward Bransfield aboard Williams sights Trinity Peninsula, ... significant?
The history of Antarctica emerges from early Western theories of a vast continent, known as Terra Australis, believed to exist in the far south of the globe.

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January 30 in HistoryYear 1820