jan 1, 1769 - First mission in San Diego established

Description:

Inspired by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's previous expedition, Father Junipero Serra led Spanish missionaries northward and established the first of 21 California missions in San Diego. Their goal was to convert as many Native Americans as possible, but many of these Indians ended dying to white mans' diseases and losing their way of life. This practice also contributed to the false Black Legend and obscured Spanish achievement in the New World.