December 19

Born in 1681 in Denmark, Vitus Bering entered the Russian Navy and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1725, he led the First Kamchatka Expedition, confirming the separation of Asia and North America. He commanded the Second Kamchatka Expedition from 1733 to 1741, mapping the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Strait. Bering Island served as his final base, where he succumbed to scurvy and harsh conditions in 1741. His voyages laid the groundwork for Russian expansion into Alaska and significantly advanced geographic knowledge.

Mel Fisher (1922–1998) dedicated more than 16 years to locating the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, lost in a 1622 hurricane. After years of false leads, storms, and financial setbacks, his perseverance paid off in 1985 when he and his team discovered the shipwreck off the Florida Keys. The find yielded silver bars, gold coins, and emeralds worth an estimated $450 million. Fisher founded Treasure Salvors Inc., pioneering underwater search techniques and legal frameworks for deep-sea salvage. His meticulous archival research, combined with innovative diving methods, revolutionized marine archaeology. Despite legal battles over ownership of the treasure, Fisher's triumph inspired generations of explorers and cemented his legacy as one of history's greatest maritime adventurers.