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Witness History: Magellan and the first voyage around the world

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13/09/2019 GMT

Magellan and the first voyage around the world

BBC World Service - Witness History, Magellan and the first voyage around the world

In 1519, the Portuguese explorer set off on the first circumnavigation of the globe.

In September 1519, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set off on the first circumnavigation of the globe.

In September 1519, a fleet led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set off on what would be the first circumnavigation of the world. Magellan was the first navigator to find a route round South America, but he had to quell several attempted mutinies and he was eventually killed by tribesmen in what is now the Philippines. His circumnavigation was completed in 1522 by one of his subordinates, Juan Sebastian Elcano. Simon Watts tells Magellan’s story through the book published by his on-board chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta.

PHOTO: Magellan's fleet (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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