On November 28th, 1520, Magellan’s three remaining ships plunged into the Pacific Ocean. At first, calm seas and favourable weather inspired optimism, leading Magellan to name the ocean Pacífico—“peaceful”. But as weeks turned to months, hope gave way to despair. Scurvy decimated the crew, while hunger forced them to eat rats, sawdust, and scraps of leather. Twice did they sight land, but could not anchor or resupply. After three harrowing months, the fleet finally reached Guam. Despite unimaginable hardship, Magellan’s men had accomplished to cross Earth’s largest ocean. Short of space exploration, no other expedition since came even close to traversing some 18,500 km of unchartered territory, let alone on the first try.