Today In History For What It's Worth.... Today in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan became the first European we know of to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. He did so by sailing...

Smedley_buzkill

Today in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan became the first European we know of to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. He did so by sailing through the Straits that bear his name. To sail the straits east to west in the poorly designed boats he commanded required some serious seamanship. During that time period, the Dutch were seemingly the only ship builders who understood building ships that would stand up to heavy weather, and his ships weren't Dutch. Too often people are unaware of the ability it took for some of these old explorers to do what they did.

Milosia2 Loc: Cleveland Ohio

Smedley_buzk**l wrote:

Today in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan became the first... (show quote)

Are you saying we should change Columbus Day to
Magellan Day ?
Magellan wasn’t Jewish , was he ?

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

Smedley_buzk**l wrote:

Today in 1520, Ferdinand Magellan became the first... (show quote)

It is truely amazing given the technology of the time .

nwtk2007 Loc: Texas

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

It is truely amazing given the technology of the time .

And yet they considered themselves to be living in a marvelous modern age.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

nwtk2007 wrote:

And yet they considered themselves to be living in a marvelous modern age.

They were coming out of the dark ages and entering the age of discovery . At least 1000 years before Magellan Native Americans were taking voyages from Alaska to Mexico and back in canoes and boats and legends say to Japan and China . They navigated by the stars and the currents .

nwtk2007 Loc: Texas

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

They were coming out of the dark ages and entering the age of discovery . At least 1000 years before Magellan Native Americans were taking voyages from Alaska to Mexico and back in canoes and boats and legends say to Japan and China . They navigated by the stars and the currents .

And all pretty amazing, too!!

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

nwtk2007 wrote:

And all pretty amazing, too!!

Yes it is. The Ainu of Japan are able to converse With Coquille speaking Indians .

Smedley_buzkill

Milosia2 wrote:

Are you saying we should change Columbus Day to
Magellan Day ?
Magellan wasn’t Jewish , was he ?

Now you can tell us what Magellan being the first known European to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific has to do with Columbus. Geography isn't your forte, is it? Come to think of it, I can't think of anything that IS your forte.

Smedley_buzkill

Coos Bay Tom wrote:

They were coming out of the dark ages and entering the age of discovery . At least 1000 years before Magellan Native Americans were taking voyages from Alaska to Mexico and back in canoes and boats and legends say to Japan and China . They navigated by the stars and the currents .

Japan and China would be closer and easier than Mexico. While the ocean currents are favorable for both, the trade winds are not a factor as far north as AK, they are mostly below about 45 degrees latitude.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

Smedley_buzk**l wrote:

Japan and China would be closer and easier than Mexico. While the ocean currents are favorable for both, the trade winds are not a factor as far north as AK, they are mostly below about 45 degrees latitude.

I believe you are right. There is quite a bit of material that suggests --probably proves Chinese voyages to America 1300 years before Columbus with evidence being rock drawings of Chinese origin. I think the ancients were more clever and advanced than they are given credit for .

Ronald Hatt Loc: Lansing, Mich

How about "Schumer day".....[ he's Jewish?}...Or...Something....

Wait! We already have a day named for "Schumer"...[ It's APRIL FOOLS DAY!}....