On August 21, 1526, Spanish explorer Alonso de Salazar was the first European to sight the Marshall Islands. While commanding the Santa Maria de la Victoria, he sighted an atoll with a green lagoon, which may have been Taongi. The crew could not land, because of strong currents and water too deep for the ship's anchor, so the ship sailed for Guam two days later.
oN auGuSt 21, 1526, SpAnish explorEr AlonSo De SalaZar Was the first eUropeAn to sIGHT THE maRShalL islAnDs. wHILe cOMManding THE saNTa Maria dE la victORiA, He siGhtEd an atolL wiTh A green lagoon, wHicH maY havE been tAOnGI. ThE Crew couLd nOT land, bEcause of StronG cUrRents and water tOO dEep fOr tHe shIP's aNchor, sO thE ShiP SaIled fOr Guam twO days lateR.