Art Lloyd G.

Datahan 04/10/2022
Readings in Philippine History

First Man to Circle the Globe

We all knew that Ferdinand Magellan is always credited in being the first man to
circle the globe but after we research about this topic, we discovered something
complicated. On the 10th of September in 1519, he along with the five ships had
planned to circumnavigate the world and be the first man to actually do it and prove that
it is possible. On the halfway of their journey, they ended up landing on the Philippines,
which had already been surveyed, and it was here that Magellan perished. On April 27,
1521, he was murdered in battle after being caught up in a local war. Although
Magellan's passing prevented him from personally completing the world's
circumference, his mission went on without him. A strong candidate for the award is one
of the navigators. A Basque navigator, Juan Sebastián de Elcano was the one who took
the command of the remaining ships that will continue their journey. The ship arrived in
Sanlcar de Barrameda on September 6th, 1522, after traveling for almost three years
and 14,000 leagues, and Seville two days later. The expedition's original crew of 285
had been reduced to 18 weak and starving sailors when the Victoria arrived, despite
carrying a heavy cargo of spices. After that, the emperor at that time which is Emperor
Charles V rewarded Elcano 500 gold ducats and gave him a crest depicting a globe with
a motto Primus circumdedisti me which means “You were the first to circumnavigate
me”.

In conclusion, I believe that the first man who circle the globe is Juan Sebastián
de Elcano. Evidence of him given an award from the emperor of Spain is strong
evidence which can prove that he is the first man to circle the globe.