Edward Bransfield sights the Trinity Peninsula and claims the discovery of Antarctica.

Captain Nathaniel Palmer becomes the first American to see Antarctica (the Palmer Peninsula is later named after him).

The Wilkes Expedition, which would explore the Puget Sound and Antarctica, weighs anchor at Hampton Roads in 1838

Captain Charles Wilkes circumnavigates Antarctica, claiming what became known as Wilkes Land for the United States.

Dumont D'Urville discovers Adélie Land, Antarctica.

The frozen bodies of Robert Scott and his men are found on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.

Caroline Mikkelsen becomes the first woman to set foot in Antarctica.

Norway claims Queen Maud Land in Antarctica.

Cold War: the Antarctic Treaty, which sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve and bans military activity on the continent, comes into force after the opening date for signature set for the December 1, 1959.

The United States Atomic Energy Commission announces that the first atomic power plant at McMurdo Station in Antarctica is in operation.

Air New Zealand Flight 901, a DC-10 operated sightseeing flight over Antarctica, crashes into Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people on board.

The world's lowest temperature is recorded at Vostok Station, Antarctica at convert -89.2.

The first all woman expedition to the south pole (3 Americans, 1 Japanese and 12 Russians), sets off from Antarctica on the 1st leg of a 70 day, 1287 kilometre ski trek.

Boerge Ousland of Norway becomes the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unaided.