Magellan was born as Fernao de Magalhares in Portugal, to nobleman Rodrigo de Magalhaes.

Magellan started as court page with his brother Diogo. This was where Ferdinand was taught mathematics, and astrology and heard the stories of other explorers.

Magellan joined the Portuguese fleet to conquer the East Indies

Magellan promoted to the rank as captain, and was gaining recognition.

Magellan returned to Portugal after 2 expeditions in Malay, Indonesia and the Spice Islands where he brought back his slave, Enrique. Enrique then became his translator later when Magellan made it to the Philippines.

Magellan battled in Morocco with the Portuguese. He was injured in that battle and developed a limp. His return to Portugal after this battle was not favorably received by King Manuel I of Portugal who distrusted the money matters handled by Ferdinand.

Magellan renounced his Portuguese citizenship in order that he could win assignment from the Spanish King Charles I.

Magellan was given the commission to 5 ships by Charles I to go west for search of Spice Islands.  Preparation of provisions and gathering of crew started.

September 20: The Armada de Molucca sailed from Guadalquivivir River of Seville, with 5 ships & 260 men.

December: Mutiny broke out on San Antonio and was put down by Magellan.

December 13: The fleet arrived bay of St Lucy and Rio de Janeiro. This was port discovered by Amerigo Vespucci in 1502, but the Portuguese had neglected its hold on this country.

January 8: Magellan's fleet had reached Santa Maria.

February: Leak discovered on San Antonio.

March 31: Reached Port St. Julian. Here Magellan measured the latitudes of this location and realized that they had crossed the boundary line set down by Treaty of Tordesillas.  He would not stop even if that meant he was violating the Portuguese ocean territory.

April 1: Mutiny broke out again on Easter Day, and this time Magellan punished the rebels severely and tortured them violently.

May ~ October: Magellan continued to look for the strait which he believed existed joining the waters to the Far East.

October 18: Magellan found the Strait which was the outlet to the Pacific Ocean. The fleet sailed into the Pacific after many days of dangerous winding in the strait.

March 16: After sailing 3 months and 20 days, the longest ever of an uncharted sea voyage, the fleet arrived Guam and the Philippines. Magellan befriended the natives, and converted King Humabon to Christianity.

April: The burning of Mactan, angering some tribes. In so doing, he also got involved into the tribal hostility on the islands. 

April 27:   One local rebel, Lapulapu raised an attack, and in one of these battles, Magellan was killed violently, getting hit by a poisoned spear. 3 vessels remained at this time: Concepcion, Trinidad and Victoria. San Antonio sailed back to Spain deserting the fleet. The Concepcion was burnt, leaving only 2 vessels.

July 9: Captain Cavalho led the remaining vessels to continue search of the Spice Islands.

November 8: They succeeded in landing at Tidore and saw the forests of cloves grown on the island, with the volcanoes. Trade took place with Spanish crew exchanging their textiles and trinkets for cloves.

November 25: Loading cloves finally onto the vessels. Trinidad discovered to have leaks. Despite of these, the 2 ships headed back to Seville going round Cape of Good Hope.

June: Trinidad could not sail anymore. Cargo moved to Victoria.

July 15: Only 22 men left on Victoria which was also leaking. The men had to pump out the water taking turns.

September 6: Victoria docked at Seville, with 18 sick men and a cargo loaded with cloves. The journey was complete, accomplished a round-the-world voyage that no man had done before.