Ferdinand Magellan

I am Ferdinand Magellan, captain of a fleet that chased the sun west until day became night again. Born under the flag of Portugal, I sailed for Spain to find a passage to the Spice Islands where east and west would meet.

I found my strait through storms and ice — the gate to the great ocean I named Pacific for its calm. Yet the calm sea hides hunger, scurvy, and mutiny. I did not live to see my fleet return, but my course circled the world.

What I Leave Behind

• I showed that Earth is round not in word alone, but in wake and wind.
• I proved that a captain must hold steady when men and storms would break him.
• I remind you: the edge of the map is only where the bold begin.

Trust your compass — and your courage.