Penicillin Discovered by: Alexander Flemin

Everybody knows the story – or at least, should – the brilliant yet notoriously absent-minded biologist Sir Alexander
Fleming was researching a strain of bacteria called staphylococci. Upon returning from holiday one time in 1928, he
noticed that one of the glass culture dishes he had accidentally left out had become contaminated with a fungus, and so
threw it away. It wasn’t until later that he noticed that the staphylococcus bacteria seemed unable to grow in the area
surrounding the fungal mould. Fleming didn’t even hold out much hope for his discovery: it wasn’t given much attention
when he published his findings the following year, it was difficult to cultivate, and it was slow-acting – it wasn’t until
1945 after further research by several other scientists that penicillin was able to be produced on an industrial scale,
changing the way doctors treated bacterial infections forever. Penicillin antibiotics are historically significant because
they are the first drugs that were effective against many previously serious diseases such as syphilis and Staphylococcus
infections.
Oxygen Discovered by: Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Oxygen was first discovered by Swedish pharmacist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. He had discovered it by about 1772.
Scheele called the gas “fire air” because it was the only known supporter of combustion, and wrote an account of this
discovery in a manuscript he titled Treatise on Air and Fire, which he sent to his publisher in 1775. However, that
document was not published until 1777. Meanwhille, oxygen was also identified by Joseph Priestly in 1774. Priestly
discovered a colourless gas from heated red mercuric oxide. He found this gas was highly combustible. He called it
dephlogisticated air. Priestly shared his discovery with the French scientist Antoine Lavoiser. Lavoiser was able to show
oxygen supported animal life respiration.
Gravity Discovered by: Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton, an English mathematician and physicist, is considered the greatest scientist of all time. Among his many
discoveries, the most important is probably his law of universal gravitation. In 1664, Newton figured out that gravity is
the force that draws objects toward each other. It explained why things fall down and why the planets orbit around the
Sun.

Fingerprints Discovered by: Evangelista Purkinje

The discovery that fingerprints are unique to each individual, are left behind on objects a person touches and can
be lifted off those items is nothing short of miraculous. This discovery completely changed the way that law enforcement
conducted investigations. In today’s modern age, Jack the Ripper would eventually be caught. Even though it was 1823
when Jan Evangelista Purkinje noticed how unique our fingerprints are, it took some time for law enforcement to figure
out ways to use this knowledge. Today, this discovery is used in everyday police work.

Famous Explorers
There are many people throughout history who had the spirit of an adventurer and decided to explore the unknown. In
some cases, they risked their lives to make their contributions recognized by the world. From Columbus’ discovery of the
Americas to Hillary’s quest up Mount Everest, the names of these great pioneers will remain important for centuries to
come as the most famous explorers of all time. Read our list below, which is organized in order of prominence and
importance, to find out more about what these seekers contributed for the sake of humankind.

Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) Marco Polo (c.1254-1324)

Famous For: First to walk on the moon
1969, the whole world heard these words, “That’s one
small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil
Armstrong holds the distinction of being the first man
to walk on the moon. Before becoming an astronaut
with NASA, he was a Naval Aviator, officer in the US
Navy, and a test pilot.
Famous For: Explored Asia and first European to meet Kublai
Khan
The name of Venice native Marco Polo is forever linked to the
world of exploration. In a book entitled The Travels of Marco
Polo, the adventures and journey of the man is detailed. Marco
explored the continent of Asia where he met Kublai Khan.
 Vasco da Gama
(c.1460/1469-1524)
Famous For: Role in the Age of Discovery
Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was commander of
one of the sailing ships that ventured into India from
Europe. As one of the pioneers of the Age of
Exploration, he became Governor of India in 1524.
Ferdinand Magellan
(c.1480-1521)
Famous For: First circumnavigation expedition
Ferdinand Magellan was the first sailor to
circumnavigate the seas from the Atlantic Ocean and
cross the Pacific Ocean. He discovered the Philippines
where we was also killed in what is known as the Battle
of Mactan. His name has been associated to not just
things explored during his voyages, but to the stars and
galaxies above us as well.
Lewis and Clark
Famous For: The exploration of the western United
States
US Army volunteers Second Lieutenant William Clark
and Captain Meriwether Lewis led the Corps of
Discovery Expedition in 1804. This took place just after
the United States completed of the Louisiana Purchase.
They explored the western United States beginning in
Missouri through the Mississippi to the Pacific coast.
Christopher Columbus
(1451-1506)
Famous For: Discovery and colonization of the Americas
Although Italian by birth, maritime explorer Christopher
Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the
Americas under the Spanish emperor’s name. During his first
voyage, he led three Spanish galleons, the Niña, Pinta, and the
Santa Maria. All in all, between 1492 and 1503, Columbus
sailed between Spain and the Americas.
Hernan Cortes (1485-1547)
Famous For: The fall of the Aztec empire
Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes conquered and colonized
parts of South America. Cortes was successful in reaching
Mayan territory along the Yucatan Peninsula, leading to his
conquest of Mexico. Most notably, he is known for his
overthrow of the Aztec empire. It must be noted that Cortes
used his own money for the expeditions he undertook, leaving
him heavily in debt.
John Smith (c.1580-1631)
Famous For: Exploring Virginia and Chesapeake Bay rivers
One of the men responsible for establishing the earliest
settlement for the English in North America. As an explorer,
John Smith navigated the rivers between the Chesapeake Bay
and Virginia. He also helped map out the areas of New England
and Chesapeake Bay.
 Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512)
Famous For: His name being translated to “America”
Amerigo Vespucci is the man from whom the word
“America” comes from. Not only was this Italian man an
explorer, he was a cartographer and navigator. He was
able to show that Brazil was not part of Asia.
James Cook (1728-1779)
Famous For: Discovery of the Hawaiian Islands
An English captain who circumnavigated around the
Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. He made contact with the
inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, New
Zealand, and around the Indian Ocean back to the
Atlantic. He died while serving the Crown in Hawaii.
Jacques Cartier (1491-1557)
Famous For: Exploring North America what is now
Canada
One of the earliest French explorer’s, Jacques Cartier
mapped and provided a description of the Saint
Lawrence River. He claimed what is now Canada for
France. Cartier attempted to find a crossing to reach
Asia through the Northern passage and instead
discovers Canada.
Francisco Pizarro (c.1471 or 1476-1541)
Famous For: His conquest of the Incan empire
Another Spanish conquistador whose main claim to fame is his
expedition to South America and the overthrow of the Incan
empire. He ventured to cross the Atlantic in search of the
riches that the “New World” promised, even to find the riches
of El Dorado.
John Cabot (c.1450-1499)
Famous For: Being the first European to explore North America
His name does sound very Anglo, but this Italian explorer
contributed to the Age of Discovery. His real name is Zuan
Chabotto, and under the auspices of King Henry VII of England
was instrumental in the discovery of sections of North
America. Cabot was instrumental in exploring a Northwest
Passage in North America.
Daniel Boone (1734-1820)
Famous For: Blazing the Wilderness Road
Daniel Boone was a man, a real man… so at least the song
goes. In reality, Boone was an explorer, frontiersman, and
pioneer who blazed the trail from Virginia to Kentucky through
the Appalachian Mountains. He fought during the American
Revolution, elected to the Virginia Assembly, and of course
became a legend in his own time.
 Sacagawea (c.1788-1812)
Famous For: Traveling as guide with the Lewis and Clark
Expedition
Native American Sacagawea came from the Lemhi
Shoshone tribe and was helpful as guide and
interpreter during the exploration of Lewis and Clark.
Sacagawea joined the expedition from North Dakota all
the way across to the Pacific Ocean which took them
roughly two years. The spelling and pronunciation of
her name have varied over the years, one thing is
certain, her role in the exploration of the Western
United States cannot be underestimated.
Jacques Cousteau (1910-1997)
Famous For: His study and exploration of life under the
sea
As a French Naval officer, Jacques Yves Cousteau blazed
a trail and captured the imagination of people when it
came to exploring life under the sea. Not only was he
an officer and explorer, he was also a conservationist,
filmmaker, photographer, and scientist. He had a ship
named Calypso which was retro-fitted to meet his
exploratory demands and also a TV program that
became famous during the late ’60s through the early
70s, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.
Samuel de Champlain (1574-
1635) Famous For: Being the “Father of New France”
Samuel de Champlain explored North America in the
early 17th century. Born in France and with his family
being mariners, de Champlain helped found Quebec
City and New France in what is today located in
Canada. He was a skilled cartographer which allowed
him to make an accurate map of the Canadian coastline
that aided in the establishment of French settlements.
This earned him the title, “Father of New France”.
Henry Hudson (c.1560s/1570s-1611)
Famous For: Exploring New York area and has a river named
after him, the Hudson River
English Commander Henry Hudson tried to establish a passage
through the New World to reach China. The Dutch East India
company financed his voyage in search of that route. Instead,
he found himself establishing a Dutch Colony in what is today
New York City. He and his son perished when some of his men
mutinied against him.
Francis Drake (c.1540-1596)
Famous For: Circumnavigating the world the 2nd time
English Vice Admiral Sir Francis Drake is known for several
exploits during his time. He is best known for being the second
man to circumnavigate the world between 1577 and 1580. The
other things Drake is known for other than being a captain, he
was a navigator, politician, a privateer, and slave trader.
Zheng He (1371-1433)
Famous For: Expeditionary voyages throughout Asia,
Middle East, and East Africa
As one of the earliest known Chinese explorers, Zheng He
(Cheng Ho) led voyages that brought him through Africa,
the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. His
exploits are written in book entitled Biography of Our
Homelands Great Navigator, Zheng He, by author Liang
Qihao in 1904.
 Juan Ponce de Leon (1474-1521)
Famous For: The search of the Fountain of Youth and
discovery of Florida
Spanish conquistador and explorer Juan Ponce de Leon
and the legendary fountain of youth have been linked
to one another up to this day. He was the man who led
an expeditionary journey into what is today Florida, and
became Governor of Puerto Rico. In search of the
fountain of youth, de Leon accidentally discovered
Florida.
Reinhold Messner (1944)
Famous For: His solo climb of Mount Everest and all
fourteen eight-thousanders
Explorers come in all forms, Reinhold Messner is one
for the ages. He successfully climbed Mount Everest in
1978 with no oxygen to supplement his climb. He is also
the first man to climb fourteen mountains that are at
least 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) high. The lowest
mountain he climbed was Gasherbrum II at the China-
Pakistan Karakoram range, its height, 8,034 meters
(26,358 feet).
Bartolomeu Dias (c.1451-1500)
Famous For: First European to sail around the southern
tip of Africa
Portuguese explorer and navigator Bartolomeu Dias
was the first man to captain a ship that sailed to the
southern tip of Africa. King John (Joao) II of Portugal
commissioned him to find a trade route that would lead
to India. Following the coastline of Western Africa, and
encountering the Cape of Storms, or better known as
the Cape of Good Hope.
Hernando de Soto (c.1496/1497-1542)
Famous For: Being the first European to cross the Mississippi
River
In search of gold and silver, along with trying to find a short cut
to China, Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernando de Soto
ends up exploring the Southeastern portion of the United
States and thereby crossing the Mississippi River ending up in
Texas.
Leif Ericson (c.970-1020)
Famous For: First man to set foot on North America
Vikings and Norse explorer Leif Ericson are forever linked to
one another. Ericson is the first European to set foot on North
America, even before Christopher Columbus who did it 500
years after Leif had done so. One of the earliest North America
settlements that this Norwegian helped establish was on what
is today Newfoundland, Canada.
Roald Amundsen (1872-c.1928)
Famous For: discovery of the South Pole
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen led an expedition that
brought them to the Antarctic and thereby his discovery of the
South Pole in 1911 and years later leading another team to the
North Pole. In addition, Roald is known to have been the first
to go through the Northwest Passage, a route that begins in
the Arctic Ocean and ends in the Pacific Ocean. Amundsen is
one of four men considered leader of the Heroic Age of
Antarctic Exploration.
 Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968)
Famous For: Being the first to reach the summit of Famous For: First man to go into outer space
Mount Everest Gagarin, a cosmonaut under the Soviet Union has the
New Zealander Edmund Hillary and fellow mountaineer distinction of being the first man to travel into outer space. He
Tenzing Norgay were the first known and confirmed orbited the earth on his Vostok spacecraft in April 1961.
climbers ever to make it to the peak of Mount Everest
in 1953. Other notable feats that Hillary accomplished
in addition to his Mount Everest adventure is that he
also reached both the North and South Pole, which
made him the first man to ever reach all three
landmarks. During World War II, Hillary was part of the
New Zealand Air Force working as a navigator.

Ibn Battuta (1304-1369)

Famous For: His travels to Islamic countries throughout
the world
The stories of Ibn Battuta’s adventures is chronicled in a
book entitled Rihla which means “Journey.” In a course
of more than 30 years, Battuta visited various parts of
the Asian and African continent which include China,
South Asia, Horn of Africa, and the Middle East to name
a few. Ibn also visited parts of Eastern Europe.

Throughout history people have always wondered what was beyond the next mountain, ocean, river, or even
planet. Explorers are people who have blazed the trail in going to new places. The Age of Exploration .
The Age of Exploration took place between the 15th and 17th centuries. During this time many countries
in Europe sent out explorers to discover new lands, find trade routes, seek treasure, and gain territory for their
country. During this time much of the world was mapped and many world civilizations came into contact with
each other. Sometimes it is called the Age of Discovery. Why People Explore The reasons for exploration can
vary widely. Most explorers certainly like the adventure of going to a new place, meeting new peoples and
cultures, or taking on new challenges.
Trade - Many countries and rulers funded explorers in order to find new trade partners and goods. In some
cases they hope to find new trade routes that would help them to transport goods cheaper than their competitors.
This was the case of Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus. Gold - Often explorers have been in search of
riches and treasure. The Conquistadors were primarily searching for gold and silver when they conquered the
Native Americans of the New World. Science - In many cases, explorers are scientists hoping to learn about
nature and new parts of the world. They may be hoping to find a new species of animal or type of plant. Land -
Many explorers claimed the land they found in the name of their country. Countries like Spain, Portugal, and
Great Britain amassed huge empires during the Age of Exploration. Challenge - Many explorers want to test
their personal limits and be the first in the world to do something. These types of explorers include the men
who raced to be the first to the North and South Poles, the top of Mount Everest, and to the Moon.
Occupation: Astronaut Born: August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio
Died: August 25, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Best known for: First man to walk on the Moon Biography:
Where did Neil Armstrong grow up?
Neil was born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. His love for flying started at a
young age when his father took him to an air show. From then on his goal was to become a
pilot. At the age of 15, he got his pilot's license. Armstrong went to Purdue University and
earned his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. He later got his masters degree at the
University of Southern California. During college, Neil was called up by the Navy and became
a fighter pilot. He fought in the Korean War where he flew fighters from aircraft carriers. At
one point his plane was hit by enemy fire, but he was able to eject and was safely rescued. How
did he become an astronaut? After graduating from college, Armstrong became a test pilot. He
flew all sorts of experimental planes testing them out to see how well they flew. It was a
dangerous job, but very exciting. He flew over 200 different types of aircraft during his career.
Armstrong applied to become an astronaut and in September of 1962 he was selected for
the NASA Astronaut Corps. He had to go through a series of harsh physical tests, but he passed
and was soon part of the "new nine", or second group of nine NASA astronauts. The Gemini 8
Armstrong's first trip into space was aboard the Gemini 8. He was the command pilot of the
space capsule and piloted the first successful docking of two vehicles in space. The mission was
cut short, however, when the capsules began to roll. Apollo 11 and Walking on the Moon On
December 23, 1968 Neil was offered the command of the Apollo 11. This would be the first
manned landing on the Moon. This was an exciting time for the entire country.
The United States was in a race with the Soviet Union to put the first man on the Moon. If
the flight was successful, Armstrong would be that man. The Apollo 11 lander, the Eagle, on
the Moon Photo by Neil Armstrong After months of practice and preparation, the Apollo 11
spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 16, 1969. There was one
scary moment in the flight where Armstrong had to take over manual control of the landing.
This was not the plan and, if the landing took too long, would leave the crew short on fuel. The
landing was successful and they had around 40 seconds of fuel remaining. Upon landing
Armstrong said "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." After landing,
Armstrong was the first to leave the craft and walk on the Moon. The historic date was July 21,
1969. His famous words upon being the first man on the Moon were "That's one small step for
man, one giant leap for mankind". Buzz Aldrin also walked on the Moon during this trip. They
collected Moon rocks and were on the Moon for over 21 hours. While the lunar
module, named the Eagle, was on the Moon, the third astronaut, Michael Collins, orbited the
Moon in the command module. The three pilots arrived back on Earth on July 24th. They
landed in the Pacific Ocean and returned heroes. Buzz Aldrin by Neil A. Armstrong After
Apollo 11 After the Apollo 11 flight, Neil held many positions with NASA. He also worked as
a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Fun Facts about Neil
Armstrong He earned the Eagle Scout badge in Boy Scouts.
Six hundred million people watched the first moon walk on TV. The footprints made by
Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are still on the Moon. The dust is thick, but there isn't any wind to
remove them. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor a
civilian can earn from the US government. He stopped signing autographs after he found out
that people were selling them on the internet.
Captain James Cook Occupation: Explorer Born: October 27, 1728 in Marton, England
Died: Killed by natives at the Hawaiian Islands on February 14, 1779
Best known for: Exploring the South Pacific Biography: James Cook was a British navigator and
explorer who sailed and mapped much of the South Pacific. Where did Captain Cook grow up? James
Cook was born on October 27, 1728 in Marton, England.
His father was a farmer, but as James grew older he began to feel the lure of the sea. At around the
age of 18 he took an apprenticeship as a merchant seaman. Although he did well and was advancing in
the merchant navy, Cook decided to enlist in the Royal Navy at the start of the Seven Years War. It
was during the Seven Years War that James became a master at map making. His ability at surveying,
navigating, and creating large accurate maps was noticed by those high up in the Navy. The Endeavour
Cook was given command of the Endeavour by England's Royal Society. The ship was a cat-collier
that was typically used for carrying coal. It wasn't fast, but it was durable and could carry a lot of
supplies. Captain Cook introduced some rigid and innovative rules in order to keep his crew healthy
and safe. He required his men to bathe every day, the ship to be kept very clean, and the bedding to be
aired twice a week. He also brought lots of fresh fruit to keep his men from getting scurvy. These rules
and planning helped his men to stay healthy throughout the long voyages ahead. First Expedition Cook
set off for his first journey on August 26, 1768. His main objective was to observe the planet Venus as
it passed between the Earth and the Sun. This would help astronomers to calculate the distance of the
Sun from the Earth. He also hoped to find the fabled southern continent. Routes of Captain James
Cook through the South Pacific The first voyage is in red, the second in green, and the third in blue. By
Andre Engels Click to see a larger view During this trip he visited Tahiti (where he made the
observations of Venus), the Society Islands, and New Zealand. He mapped much of the two main
islands of New Zealand, but also ended up fighting with the local Maori tribe. Next stop on the journey
was the east coast of Australia. Here James and his crew found all sorts of interesting animals and
plants including the kangaroo. Unfortunately, the ship was damaged on some coral and they had to
stop for a while to do repairs. Many of the crew got malaria from mosquitoes during this stop and over
30 of the crew died from the disease. Finally they returned home in July of 1771, nearly three years
after their departure. Click here to see an animated route of Cook's first voyage. Second Expedition
Captain Cook's second expedition took place from 1772-1775. This time he took two ships, the
Adventure and the Resolution. His goal was to either discover the southern continent or prove that it
didn't exist. He went below 70 degrees latitude. This was the furthest south any European had
explored. He also visited Easter Island. Click here to see an animated route of Cook's second voyage.
Final Journey Cook's final expedition lasted from 1776 to 1779. The goal of this journey was to find a
northwest passage across North America to Asia. He searched the coast of Alaska to no avail. He did
find the Hawaiian Islands, however (they were named the Sandwich Islands at the time). At first
Captain Cook and his men got along well with the natives of the Hawaiian Islands. However, things
went bad when the natives stole a sailboat. Cook tried to kidnap the chief to hold him as ransom for the
boat. In the attempt a fight broke out and he was killed by the natives. Cook's ship the Resolution by
John Murray Fun Facts about Captain Cook The first European to set foot on Australia's east coast was
Cook's nephew Isaac Smith. The Endeavour also had scientists aboard including botanist Joseph
Banks. They collected and recorded numerous plants and animals throughout their journey. Tahiti was
so nice and the natives so friendly that some of Cook's crew wanted to stay. The Maori warriors in
New Zealand wore tattoos on their faces. Some of the Endeavour's sailors got tattoos on their arms and
started a tradition that continues today. As Cook was exploring during the American Revolution,
Benjamin Franklin wrote to the captains of America's warships telling them to not attack or harass
Cook's ships.
Occupation: Explorer, privateer Born: 1540 or 1544 in Tavistock, England
Died: January 27, 1596 in Portobelo, Panama
Best known for: First Englishman to sail around the world and defeating the Spanish Armada
Biography: Where did Francis Drake grow up? Francis Drake was born sometime between
1540 and 1544 in Tavistock, England. His father was a minister for the navy and Francis grew
up near the sea. He went to work for a sea captain at a young age and found his home living and
working on a ship. Someday he would make his fortune and fame at sea. First Expedition
Drake's first expedition was with John Hawkins. He captained the ship Judith, one of six ships
that made up the fleet. Hawkins first led the fleet to Africa where they captured people to sell
into slavery. Then they sailed across the Atlantic to the New World. They sold the slaves at a
Spanish port, but they were betrayed. Spanish warships attacked the fleet and destroyed many
of the ships. Drake and the Judith were able to escape, but he never forgave the Spanish.
Privateer or Pirate? After returning from the New World, Drake wanted revenge on the
Spanish. He took up the life of a privateer. As a privateer he would attack the enemy ships of
Britain, mostly the Spanish, and take their cargo. To the Spanish, he was considered a pirate. To
the English, he was a hero. Over the next several years Drake attacked Spanish towns and ships
taking much of their gold and silver. He became a rich man. Queen Elizabeth I noted his
success and gave him a fleet of ships to take to South America and plunder the Spanish. Around
the World Drake and his fleet of five ships left England on November 15, 1577. He captained
the largest ship, the Pelican, which he would later rename the Golden Hind. They had many
adventures along the way. Many of the sailors died from disease. Drake even had one man
beheaded for leading a mutiny. The fleet traveled across the Atlantic and down the coast of
South America. After passing through the Strait of Magellan, they entered the Pacific Ocean
and went north along the coast of Peru, ransacking towns along the way. They also captured a
Spanish ship named the Cacafuego. The ship was full of treasure. Drake would arrive home
very rich! Eventually, Drake's fleet was down to a single ship, the Golden Hind. After three
years of sailing, on September 26, 1580, the ship arrived back home in England. Drake's
expedition was only the second in history to sail around the world. He also brought back lots of
treasure for the queen. The queen was proud of Francis, she knighted him and he was now
known as Sir Francis Drake.
The Spanish Armada. By 1588 King Philip II of Spain finally had enough of Queen Elizabeth
I and her English privateers like Drake. He assembled a huge fleet of Spanish warships called
the Spanish Armada and sent them to crush the British and take over England. The Spanish
Armada was thought to be invincible (by unknown) Queen Elizabeth had made Sir Francis
Drake vice admiral of the English navy. They waited for the Spanish Armada to arrive. Many
thought they had little chance. Drake had an idea, however. In the middle of the night they lit
several empty English ships on fire. They sent them into the middle of the Spanish fleet. The
captains of the fleet panicked and scattered. Then the English pounced. A little while later, a
huge storm hit the fleet. Many of the Spanish ships were sunk or broke up on the rocks of
England's shore. The English defeated the Spanish and now were the most powerful navy in the
world.
Death. Drake continued to attack Spanish cities and treasure ships. He died of dysentery while
on an expedition to the New World on January 27, 1596.
Interesting Facts about Sir Francis Drake. He married twice. His first wife was Mary Newman who died 12
years after their marriage in 1569. His second wife was Elizabeth Sydenham. His wives rarely saw him as he
spent much of his life at sea. He didn't have any children. The Spanish nicknamed Drake "El Draque", which
means "The Dragon". The King of Spain put a bounty on Drake's head of 20,000 ducats. That's around $7
million in today's money! He was a member of the British Parliament for a time. He purchased a large mansion
in Devon, England called Buckland Abby. Today it is open for tourists to visit.
Ferdinand Magellan . Occupation: Explorer
Born: 1480 in Portugal Died: April 27, 1521 in Cebu, Philippines
Best known for: First to circumnavigate the globe Biography:
Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to sail all the way around the world. He also discovered a passage
from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean that is today called the Straits of Magellan. Growing Up
Ferdinand Magellan was born in 1480 in northern Portugal. He grew up in a wealthy family and served as a
page in the royal court. He enjoyed sailing and exploring and sailed for Portugal for many years. Magellan had
traveled to India by sailing around Africa, but he had the idea that there may be another route by traveling west
and around the Americas. The King of Portugal did not agree and argued with Magellan. Finally, Magellan
went to the King Charles V of Spain who agreed to fund the voyage. Setting Sail In September of
1519 Magellan set sail in his attempt to find another route to Eastern Asia. There were over 270
men and five ships under his command. The ships were named the Trinidad, the Santiago, the
Victoria, the Concepcion, and the San Antonio. They first sailed across the Atlantic and to the
Canary Islands. From there they sailed south to Brazil and the coast of South America.
Magellan's ship Victoria by Ortelius Mutiny As Magellan's ships sailed south the weather
turned bad and cold. On top of that, they had not brought enough food. Some of the sailors
decided to mutiny and tried to steal three of the ships. Magellan fought back, however, and had
the leaders executed. Finding the Passage Magellan continued to sail south. Soon he found the
passage he was seeking. He called the passage the All Saints' Channel. Today it is called the
Straits of Magellan. Finally he entered into a new ocean on the other side of the new world. He
called the ocean the Pacifico, meaning peaceful. Now that they were on the other side of South
America, the ships sailed for China. There were only three ships left at this point as the
Santiago had sunk and the San Antonio had disappeared. Magellan thought it would only take a
few days to cross the Pacific Ocean. He was wrong. It took nearly four months for the ships to
make it to the Mariana Islands. They barely made it and nearly starved during the voyage.
Route taken by Magellan Source: Wikimedia Commons by Knutux Click for larger view
Magellan Dies After stocking up on supplies, the ships headed to the Philippines. Magellan
became involved in an argument between local tribes. He and around 40 of his men were killed
in a battle. Unfortunately, Magellan would not see the end of his historic journey. Returning to
Spain Only one of the original five ships made it back to Spain. It was the Victoria captained by
Juan Sebastian del Cano. It returned in September of 1822, three years after first leaving. There
were only 18 surviving sailors, but they had made the first trip around the world. Pigafetta One
of the survivors was a sailor and scholar named Antonio Pigafetta. He wrote detailed journals
throughout the voyage recording all that happened. Much of what we know about Magellan's
travels comes from his journals. He told of the exotic animals and fish they saw as well as the
terrible conditions they endured. Fun Facts about Magellan The ship that Magellan commanded
was the Trinidad. The total distance traveled by the Victoria was over 42,000 miles. Magellan's
knee was wounded in battle, causing him to walk with a limp. Many of the sailors were Spanish
and did not trust Magellan because he was Portuguese. The King of Portugal, King Manuel I,
sent ships to stop Magellan, but was unsuccessful. On the long journey across the Pacific the
sailors ate rats and sawdust to survive.
Marco Polo Occupation: Explorer and Traveler
Born: Venice, Italy in 1254 Died: January 8, 1324 Venice, Italy
Best known for: European traveler to China and the Far East
Biography: Marco Polo was a merchant and explorer who traveled throughout the Far East and China for much
of his life. His stories were the basis for what much of Europe knew about Ancient China for many years. He
lived from 1254 to 1324.
Where did he grow up? Marco was born in Venice, Italy in 1254. Venice was a wealthy trading city and
Marco's father was a merchant.
The Silk Road . The Silk Road referred to a number of trade routes between major cities
and trading posts that went all the way from Eastern Europe to Northern China. It was called
the Silk Road because silk cloth was the major export from China. Not many people traveled
the entire route. Trading was mostly between cities or small sections of the route and products
would slowly make their way from one end to the other trading hands several times. Marco
Polo's father and uncle wanted to try something different. They wanted to travel all the way to
China and bring the goods directly back to Venice. They thought they could make their fortune
this way. It took them nine years, but they finally made it home.
When did he first travel to China? Marco first left for China when he was 17 years old. He
traveled there with his father and uncle. His father and uncle had met the Mongol Emperor
Kublai Khan during their first trip to China and had told him they would return. Kublai was
leader over all of China at the time.
Where did he travel? It took Marco Polo three years to get to China. Along the way he
visited many great cities and saw many sites including the holy city of Jerusalem, the
mountains of the Hindu Kush, Persia, and the Gobi Desert. He met a lot of different types of
people and had many adventures.
Living in China . Marco lived in China for many years and learned to speak the
language. He traveled throughout China as a messenger and spy for Kublai Khan. He even
traveled far to the south to where Myanmar and Vietnam are today. During these visits he
learned about different cultures, foods, cities, and peoples. He saw many places and things that
no one from Europe had ever seen before.
Marco was fascinated by the wealth and luxury of the Chinese cities and of Kublai Khan's
court. It was nothing like he had experienced in Europe. The capital city of Kinsay was large,
but well organized and clean. Wide roads and huge civil engineering projects like the Grand
Canal were well beyond anything he had experienced back home. Everything from the food to
the people to the animals, like orangutans and rhinos, were new and interesting.
How do we know about Marco Polo? After twenty years of traveling, Marco, along with his father and
uncle, decided to head home to Venice. They left home in 1271 and finally returned in 1295. A few years after
returning home, Venice fought a war with the city of Genoa. Marco was put under arrest. While he was under
arrest, Marco told detailed stories of his journeys to a writer named Rustichello who wrote them all
down in a book called The Travels of Marco Polo. The Travels of Marco Polo became a very
popular book. It was translated into multiple languages and read throughout Europe. After the
fall of Kublai Kahn, the Ming Dynasty took over China. They were very wary of foreigners and
little information about China was available. This made Marco's book even more popular.
Fun Facts .The Travels of Marco Polo was also called Il Milione or "The Million". The Polo's traveled home
in a fleet of ships that also carried a princess who was to marry a prince in Iran. The journey was dangerous and
only 117 of the 700 original travelers survived. This included the princess who made it to Iran safely. Some
have speculated that Marco made up much of his adventures. However, scholars have checked his facts and
believe many of them are likely true. During the time when the Mongols and Kublai Khan ruled China,
merchants were able to elevate themselves in Chinese society. During other dynasties merchant were
considered lowly and looked down upon as parasites on the economy. Marco had to travel across the great Gobi
Desert to get to China. It took months to cross the desert and it was said to be haunted by spirits.
Read the following text carefully:

Mary has a lot of hobbies and interests. She usually gets up early so she can run before work. She doesn't often have
time to ski, but she occasionally goes on Saturdays during the winter. Mary often rides a horse at a stable near her home.
She sometimes goes after work, but she usually goes horseback riding on Sundays. She loves music. She always goes to
choir practice on Wednesday evenings and sings in church on Sundays. She doesn't have much extra money, so
she rarely goes to concerts in the city. She seldom watches TV because she likes doing things outside. She usually goes
to the gym if it's raining outside. She isn't often alone because she has a lot of friends. She occasionally does something
alone, but she usually does her activities with one of her friends. She's a happy woman!

Adverbs of manner
Henry Kilburn loved fast cars. One day he looked out of the window and saw that the sun was shining brightly.
‘It’s a good day for a drive in the country,’ he said to himself, happily.
So he set off in his shiny red sports car and turned on the radio. He started singing loudly to one of his favourite tunes
and he put his foot down on the accelerator. The car was moving quickly through the countryside, when he went over the
top of a hill and saw another car moving towards him. The woman in the car was driving very slowly, and she was
honking her car horn.
As Henry passed her, she rolled the car window down, put her head out and shouted loudly, ‘Pig! Pig!’
‘Ridiculous,’ Henry thought to himself angrily, ‘I know I’m driving fast, but I’m driving carefully. Just because I'm
driving fast, it doesn't mean I'm driving badly.’
‘Stupid cow!’ he shouted at her out of his window and drove away even faster.
Around the next corner he crashed his car into a pig.