June 27

Amerigo Vespucci departed from Spain in 1499 on what would become his third voyage to the Americas. On June 27th, he spotted the coastline of present-day Amapá in northern Brazil, noting its lush forests and winding rivers. His precise observations helped distinguish South America as a separate continent from Asia. Vespucci’s detailed letters and charts challenged prevailing geographic assumptions in Europe. Though not the first European to reach Brazil, his reports greatly advanced European knowledge of the New World. His reputation grew so influential that the continents were later named after him.

Nova Scotian sailor Joshua Slocum set sail alone in his sloop Spray in April 1895, embarking on an unprecedented voyage. Over three years, he navigated storms, doldrums, and remote seas without modern instruments. Slocum relied on celestial navigation and sheer seamanship to chart his course across every ocean. He documented his journey in a bestselling narrative that inspired adventurers worldwide. On June 27, 1898, he triumphantly returned to Briar Island, completing the historic circumnavigation. His achievement remains a landmark in maritime exploration and solo sailing.