Today's the Memorial of St. Junípero Serra, priest and Franciscan brother. Born on Spain's Balearic Islands he was a missionary to Mexico and California. He founded many missions, protecting natives from conquistadors and teaching them new agricultural and crafting methods.
TDIH: July 16, 1769, Father Junípero Serra founds California's first mission, Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Over the following decades, it evolves into the city of San Diego, California. A painting of Mission San Diego de Alcalá as it appeared in 1848.