Timeline

1769

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

May

16

American Revolution

Virginia’s House of Burgesses criticizes taxation without representation

On May 16, 1769, Virginia's House of Burgesses passes a resolution calling Britain’s taxes on the American colonies illegal.

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Jul

16

Religion

First Catholic mission in California dedicated

Father Junípero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan missionary, founds the first Catholic mission in California on the site of present-day San Diego. After Serra blessed his new outpost of Christianity in a high mass, the royal standard of Spain was unfurled over the mission, which he named San Diego de Alcala.

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