Timeline: Junípero Serra

1713: Miguel José Serra born in Mallorca, Spain

1728: Begins university studies

1730: Admitted to the Franciscan Order, takes the name “Junípero”

1737: Ordained a priest

1749: Arrives in Mexico City

1750: Begins missionary work in the Sierra Gorda

1758: Returns to the College of San Fernando

1767: Expulsion of the Jesuits from Spanish territories

1768: Appointed to lead Franciscan group assuming responsibility for Jesuit missions in Baja California

1769: Founds first mission in Baja California: San Fernando de Velicatá (March); founds first mission in Alta California: San Diego de Alcalá (July)

1770 – 1772: Founds four more missions in Alta California

1773: Travels to Mexico City to successfully argue for removal of Pedro Fages as governor of California

1774 – 1783: Founds another four missions in Alta California

1784: Dies at Mission San Carlos Borromeo