Death of Ferdinand Magellan
Mactan, Philippines
What happened
In the Philippines, Magellan took sides in a conflict between local chiefs, and on 27 April 1521 he died in the Battle of Mactan, where Lapulapu's forces won. He had left Spain in 1519 with five ships, hoping to reach Asia's Spice Islands by sailing west.
Why it matters
One of Magellan's ships, the Victoria, kept going and became the first ship to sail all the way around the world. The voyage showed that the Pacific was far larger than European mapmakers had believed, and that ships could circle the globe.
What came next
Elcano sailed the Victoria home to Spain, arriving on 6 September 1522 with a small surviving crew and a cargo of spices. In the Philippines, Lapulapu's victory is still celebrated today.
Did you know?
When the Victoria's sailors stopped at the Cape Verde islands on the way home, they found their careful daily records were one full day behind, because sailing west all the way around the world makes you lose a day.
Timeline
- 10 August 1519Magellan's fleet of five ships leaves Seville, Spain.
- 21 October to 28 November 1520The fleet sails through the passage now called the Strait of Magellan and enters the Pacific.
- 6 March 1521After 98 days crossing the Pacific, the fleet reaches Guam.
- 27 April 1521Magellan dies in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines.
- 6 September 1522The Victoria, under Elcano, returns to Spain after sailing around the world.