On This Day In History: Ferdinand Magellan Discovers Guam – On Mar 6, 1521

AncientPages.com - Ferdinand Magellan landed in Guam on March 6, 1521, during his fateful trip worldwide. It was the first contact Europeans made with the islands and an important stop during the expedition in Spain in 1519.

Victoria, the sole ship of Magellan's fleet to complete the circumnavigation. Detail from a map by Ortelius, 1590. Original Ortelius map. www.helmink.com - Public Domain.

The traditional story has it that Magellan landed at the pristine Umatac Bay, but this is a subject of much scholarly debate based on the route the ships had reported taking to that point. In March 1521, the fleet anchored in Guam.

Umatac Bay, a small village in southern Guam, was the site of many subsequent visits from European explorers. Today, the village hosts an annual Discovery Day festival celebrating native Chamorro culture.

Magellan’s journey had been primarily focused on seeking a westward route to the Spice Islands. He sailed from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean via the strait at the bottom of South America, that now bears his name.

He then became the first to cross the Pacific Ocean, culminating with his arrival in Guam and the Marianas islands. Magellan was killed two months later in the Philippines.

The surviving crew eventually made their way around the Cape of Good Hope and back to Spain three years after leaving – completing the first known circumnavigation of the globe.

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