Category: July

The curtains opened on July 11, 2013, as stages throughout the Americas were illuminated by the 28th annual International Hispanic Theatre Festival (IHTF) of Miami.  IHTF is presented by Teatro Avante, and offers renowned theater companies in performances in Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Buenos Aires (Argentina), Mexico City (Mexico), Quito (Ecuador), and Pais Vasco… Continue reading 28th Annual International Hispanic Theatre Festival 2013

The US Navy continued its program to honor diversity among our troops.  The Navy’s Facebook page for week of July 30, 2012 featured Commander Debra Yniguez, who began her career as a Student Naval Aerospace Physiologist in 1995. Yniguez is a Latina in a traditionally male field, and posted as Deputy Diversity Officer for the… Continue reading Navy’s Facebook Honoring Commander Debra Yniguez

With a flutter of her eyelashes and a giggle, supermodel Valentina Guerrero made her catwalk debut in Miami, Florida.  The then 10-month-old swimwear model, who has Downs syndrome, was selected as the representative model for DC Kids, a charming collection of children’s clothing. Please visit Valentina on her Facebook Page, and say Hello. (Photograph by… Continue reading Valentina Guerrero’s Supermodel Debute 2012

The US Navy honored the diversity of its forces with the launch of its “Beyond the Call” diversity campaign on July 18, 2012.  The campaign highlights servicemen and servicewomen who have extended themselves beyond the call of duty professionally and personally, and are making a positive impact in the communities where they serve. These Navy… Continue reading The Launch of the “Beyond the Call” Campaign

Family is family and familia es familia – sometimes we all need to be reminded of this principle of the human heart.  On July 8, 2012, twenty-one of the US’ leading Hispanic organizations announced their endorsement of an unprecedented education campaign, “Familia es familia”.  The campaign’s mission is to build support within the Latino community… Continue reading Endorsement of Familia es Familia 2012

On July 6, 2012, the annual Festival of Latin American Youth Theater opened in Quito, Ecuador.  The Festival annually showcases young talent from Ecuador, Mexico and Colombia.  The program includes workshops for aspiring artists. El 6 de julio de 2012 se inauguró el Festival Anual de Teatro Juvenil Latinoamericano en Quito, Ecuador. El Festival presenta… Continue reading Festival of Latin American Youth Theater opens 2012

As glasses clinked and guests smiled, Hector V. Baretto introduced the newly produced tequila spirit, Tributo a Mi Padre (Tribute to My Father), at the 6th Annual East LA Meets Napa Premiere Food and Wine Tasting Event on July 8, 2011.  The honored padre was Hector Barreto Sr., an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico.  Arriving in… Continue reading First Sale of Tributo a Mi Padre 2011

On July 7, 2010 the new South American currency, the Sucre, was used for the first time in an international trade transaction.  The Sucre (Unitary System of Regional Compensation) is the currency developed by the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), enabling member states to trade internally without the US dollar.  As… Continue reading The First Use of the Sucre 2010

CNN reported that a family in Azle, Texas, posted a sign outside their home that many residents preferred that they hadn’t, reading “Hispanics Keep Out”.  While there were no documented reports of documented or undocumented Latinx attempting to enter their home, the family felt compelled to display the racist message as a preemptive strike.  Many… Continue reading Racism in Texas 2009

“…Nothing less than a miracle … the future of music for the whole world.”  These heady words of praise from the leader of the Berlin Philharmonic appeared in the London Observer Magazine on July 29, 2007.  The praise was for “El Sistema”, the program illuminating the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela.  The orchestra’s conductor,… Continue reading “El Sistema” Airs 2007

As the County meeting rooms overflowed with worried residents in the hot, angry Virginia night, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors passed its controversial anti-immigration ordinance.  The legislation targeted undocumented immigrants by prohibiting their access to public services and increasing immigration enforcement by local police.  The resolution was fiercely contested in a lengthy public… Continue reading New Law in Prince William County, Virginia 2007

On July 23, 1993, scientist Angeles de Leira Alvarino was awarded the Great Silver Medal of Galici a by King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia of Spain.   Alvarino, who was born in Spain, specialized in fishery research biologist and marine science. In her decades long career, she made tremendous contributions to knowledge about marine… Continue reading Alvarino de Leira Alvarino Awarded Great Silver Medal of Galici

The Academy Award winning documentary, “The Panama Deception”, was released on July 31, 1992.  The 1989 invasion of Panama by the US was termed “Operation Just Cause” by the Bush Administration; according to the documentary’s director, Barbara Trent, the invasion was far from a just cause.  Trent alleged that US troops killed up to 4,000… Continue reading “The Panama Deception” Documentary Release 1992

Happy Birthday to Selena Gomez, an all American singer and actress, born in Grand Prairie, Texas,  on July 22, 1992.  Gomez’s father is a New Mexico native of Mexican descent and her mother is Italian-American. Gomez was named for popular Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla Perez.  Gomez’s first big break was in the Disney TV series,… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Selena Gomez 1992

A very young Latino cowboy from Penasco, New Mexico, poses for a photographer from the Office of War Information Photograph Collection in July 1940.  Hispanic Americans were the first Europeans in the state of New Mexico, as the Spanish in Mexico expanded their empire northwards.  The photos were taken as part of an extensive pictorial… Continue reading Latino Portraits for the Office of War Information Photographers

Happy Birthday to America’s Olympic medal winner and boxer, Marlen Esparza.  Esparza was born on July 29, 1989 in Houston, Texas.   Early in her life, Esparza was plagued with poor grades and trouble at school, until she agreed to a strict program with her boxing coach.  By age 16 Esparza was one of the youngest… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Marlen Esparza 1989

Agonized screams filled the streets of Santiago, Chile, as protestors Rodrigo Rojas de Negri and Carmen Gloria Quintana were burnt alive during a street demonstration against the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet.  Rojas’ mother was a political exile, and he had lived in the US and attended Woodrow Wilson High School.  Quintana was an engineering… Continue reading Protest against General Augusto Pinochet 1986

On July 15, 1985, to cheers, tears and applause, Puerto Rican actress and TV host Deborah Fátima Carthy-Deu was crowned as the 34th Miss Universe.  Carthy-Deu was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and is the second Puerto Rican woman to achieve this title.  She graduated with high honors from the University of Puerto Rico with a… Continue reading Deborah Fátima Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1985

To cheers and applause across the globe, the Live-Aid Concert began on July 13, 1985.  The dual-venue concert was held in London, England and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to raise money for the human beings impacted by a terrible famine in Ethiopia.  The event was one of the largest-scale satellite link-ups and television broadcasts to date:… Continue reading Latinx stars at First Night of the Live-Aid Concert 1985

In an angry dark night as the Civil War raged throughout Guatemala, a North American priest from Oklahoma City was gunned down in the impoverished village where he ministered.  Father Stanley Rother served in Santiago Atitlan from 1968 until 1981. He left temporarily because of the death threats that he received for his opposition to… Continue reading A North American Tragedy in Guatemala’s Civil War

Happy Birthday to children’s book author and baseball superstar Alex Rodriquez, born in New York City.  When Rodriquez was 4, his father moved the family to his home in the Dominican Republic.  After Rodriquez ‘s return to the US, talent scouts spotted him early, and at age 18 Rodriquez was playing in a professional league,… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Alex Rodriquez 1975

On July 1, 1974, Isabel Martínez de Perón was inaugurated as President of Argentina.  Perón was the third wife of another former President, Juan Perón.  When her husband died in office, Perón served his term.  She was the first non-royal woman head of state and head of government in the Western Hemisphere.  Unfortunately, during Argentina’s… Continue reading President of Argentina Inaugurated 1974

Inner peace through electric guitar was the message from musician and spiritualist Carlos Santana, in the release of the album “Love, Devotion, Surrender”.  Inspired by Indian guru Sri Chinmoy and homage to jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, the jazz fusion album was created with British musician John McLaughlin. For Santana, the album was also a reflection… Continue reading Release of “Love, Devotion, Surrender” by Carlos Santana

Happy Birthday to the stunningly beautiful, witty, and talented Sofía Margarita Vergara, born a natural blonde on July 10, 1972 in Barranquilla, Colombia. As a young student, Vergara studied dentistry, and was close to graduation when she was spotted by a photographer – and you’ll never guess what happened next!  She soon launched a modeling… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Sofía Margarita Vergara

She’s achieved the iconic one word celebrity handle:  J-Lo.  Jennifer Lopez was born in New York City, USA, on July 24, 1969, to parents of Puerto Rican heritage.  Her parents had hoped her career path would be college and law school, but Jennifer chose song, dance and theater.  Her breakout acting role was in the film… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Jennifer Lopez

Happy Birthday to Honorary Latina Sandra Bullock, a talented actress and comedienne committed to supporting positive roles for Latinos in media and entertainment.  Bullock was born in Washington, DC, on July 26, 1966, and is a graduate of East Carolina University.  Her charisma and screen presence have made her a box office sensation.   During her… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Sandra Bullock 1966

Happy Birthday to John Leguizamo, a talented, highly regarded actor, singer, playwright, and producer who works in theater, film and television.  Leguizamo has appeared in over 20 movies, and was the first Latinx to have his own TV comedy/ variety show and one man show on Broadway.  Born in Colombia to Puerto Rican and Colombian… Continue reading Happy Birthday to John Leguizamo 1964

Happy Birthday to civil rights activist and public servant Cecilia Munoz, born on July 27, 1962, to Bolivian immigrant parents.  Her father attended the University of Michigan to study automotive engineering and Cecilia Munoz also graduated from this University.  Munoz earned her MA degree at the University of California at Berkeley.  She served at the… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Cecilia Munoz 1962

On July 19, 1960, Juan Marichal debuted in the Major Leagues by pitching a one hitter with 12 strikeouts against the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Dominican-born Marichal played with the New York Giants, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. El 19 de julio de… Continue reading Juan Marichals Debuts in Major League Baseball

July 12, 1960 was the birthday of Anna Maria Arias, a trailblazing Latina entrepreneur and media mogul, born in San Bernardino, California.  Arias was the founder of Latina Style magazine, the first North American magazine for professional Hispanic women.  Arias’ mission was to provide a positive image of Hispanic Americans, focusing on their accomplishments and… Continue reading Happy Birthday Anna Maria Arias (1960 – 2001)

Happy Birthday to Cristina Garcia, a Cuban born journalist and novelist, whose family immigrated to the US when she was 2 years old.   Garcia earned her BA from Barnard College and completed graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University.  She started as a journalist with Time Magazine.   Her first novel, “Dreaming in Cuba”, was nominated for… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Cristina Garcia

Happy Birthday to Monica Cecilia Lozano, born in Los Angeles on July 21, 1956.  Lozano earned a ranking among the 100 most influential Hispanic women by Hispanic Business Magazine in 1987 and 1992.  The newspaper editor and social activist has received numerous awards for her contributions and public service for human rights.  She has been… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Monica Cecilia Lozano 1956

Happy Birthday to the talented Jimmy Smits, born on July 9, 1955 in New York City.  His mother was Puerto Rican and his father was Surinamese (check your map, that country is located in South America).   Smits grew up in Brooklyn, though he spent a few years in Puerto Rico as a child.  The Emmy… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Jimmy Smits

With happy shouts of farewell and the roar of a motorcycle engine, one of the best known road trips of the 20th century began.  Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Alberto Granado left Argentina on July 7, 1953.  They traveled over 5,000 miles in four months, through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El… Continue reading The Motorcycle Diaries … When Che was Ernesto

Happy birthday to actor, singer, politician, poet and social activist Ruben Blades, born in Panama City, Panama on July 16, 1948. After achieving a degree in law and economics, his love of music inspired him to take a job in the mailroom of a record company in New York.  In true American style, his big… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Ruben Blades 1948

Happy Birthday to the wonderfully talented Linda Ronstadt, whose stellar singing voice has ranged from rock to country to mariachi to operetta.  Ronstadt was born on July 15, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona, where her father, a hardware store manager, loved to play and sing Mexican music.  Ronstadt was raised during a decidedly anti-Hispanic heritage era… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Linda Ronstadt

Happy Birthday to Cheech Marin, a third-generation, native English speaker born in LA, California on July 13, 1946.   The talented actor in his fabulous counterculture comedic roles has entertained norteamericanos for decades.   A straight “A” student who worked his way through college as a dishwasher and janitor, Cheech graduated from California State University.  He met… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Cheech Marin 1946

Happy Birthday to Richard Rodriguez (1944-2023), the controversial and compelling author and chronicler of the Latino and gay experiences in America.  Rodriguez was born in Sacramento, California on July 31, 1944, to Mexican American parents.  He earned a BA from Stanford University, an MA from Columbia University, was a PhD candidate in English Renaissance literature… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Richard Rodriguez 1944

Happy Birthday to the man who inspires love or hate, admiration or exasperation, but rarely a neutral reaction.  Geraldo Rivera, a lawyer, television host, and author, was born on July 3, 1943.  Geraldo attended the University of Arizona, Brooklyn Law School, University of Pennsylvania Law School, and Columbia University School of Journalism.  His original career… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Geraldo Rivera 1943

Happy Birthday to bicultural clinical psychologist, teacher and author Carmen Inoa Vazquez, born in Bonao, Dominican Republic, on July 16, 1942.   Vazquez graduated from Queens College, Cum Laude, and earned a Ph.D. from City University’s APA Approved Program in Clinical Psychology.  Vazquez contributes to numerous books, academic journals and popular magazines, offering advice and insight… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Carmen Inoa Vazquez 1942

Happy Birthday to Vicente Fox Quesada, born on July 2, 1942 in Guanajuato, Mexico.  Fox made modern Mexican political history when he was elected as the first President from an opposition party, the Partido Acción Nacional.  Fox defeated the Partido Revolucionario Institucional, which had ruled uninterrupted for 70 years.  Fox started his career in business,… Continue reading Vicente Fox Quesada, President of Mexico

Among our Latinas that you may not know know are Latina:  Happy Birthday to Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona, known as Vikki Carr, born on July 19, 1941.  Carr is a singer and humanitarian from El Paso Texas, who has performed in diverse genres, including jazz, pop, and country.  Carr sang at the Republication… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona

Two young Latinas pose for their portraits in July 1940 in Chamisal, New Mexico.  New Mexico was home to the Pueblo nations for thousands of years, and many citizens still speak their Uto-Aztec languages. The Spanish were the first European settlers in New Mexico, and began surveying and mapping the state in 1539.  New Mexico… Continue reading “Facebook 1940” New Mexico Latinas

Latino dance at a traditional festival in Taos, New Mexico, in July 1940.  Russell Lee, a photographer for the Office of War Information Photograph Collection, snapped their photos as part of an extensive pictorial record of American life between 1935 and 1944.  The Taos region was initially settled by the Native American nations; in 1615… Continue reading Life in America: Latino Life in New Mexico 1944

A young Latino boy poses for the Office of War Information Photograph Collection in Chamisal, New Mexico.  The photos were taken as part of an extensive pictorial record of American life between 1935 and 1944.  For more photos, please visit our country’s book of faces at the Library of Congress, www.LOC.gov. Un joven latino posa… Continue reading Latino Children in the War Information Photograph Collection

Long before Facebook photos, North Americans happily posed for photographers from the Office of War Information Photograph Collection.  The photos were taken as part of an extensive pictorial record of American life between 1935 and 1944, including the latter years of the Great Depression – Dorothea Lange’s iconic photo of the “Migrant Mother”, taken in… Continue reading Latinos in the Great Depression 1940

Happy Birthday to Oralia Lillie Corrales, who began her triumphant, generous and difficult journey in the world on July 5, 1940 in Midland, Texas. Corrales was a child farm worker, spending her early summers in the fields of California picking cotton, potatoes, grapes, and peaches.  She and her family traveled from one migrant camp to… Continue reading Happy Birthday To Oralia Lillie Corrales 1940

Spain’s greatest modern tragedy began on July 17, 1936, at the start of the Spanish Civil War.  The War was viewed as one of the final post-World War II struggles between freedom and the Fascism that had cruelly gripped Europe for the War years.  Many idealistic young people traveled to Spain to fight against Fascism… Continue reading The Spanish Civil War Begins 1936

Perhaps it was growing up as the only son with six sisters, perhaps the art study in Madrid or the influence of the vibrant tropics in which he was raised … or each of these and more contributed to design the successful businessman, humanitarian and fashion rock star known as Oscar de la Renta.  A… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Oscar de la Renta 1932

Happy Birthday to Manuel Phillip Berriozábal, an educator, mathematician, and humanitarian born on July 21, 1931, in San Antonio, Texas.  Berriozábal’s life is a passionate commitment to developing programs to help Hispanic and other minority students to stay in school and to succeed at higher level education.  His focus has been on mathematics, and in 1988, his findings… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Manuel Phillip Berriozábal 1931

Happy Birthday to humanitarian, educator and spiritual leader Patrick Fernandez Flores, born in Ganado, Texas on July 26, 1929.  Flores was the first Mexican American to rise to a high office in the Catholic Church in the US. From very humble beginnings that included cleaning a cantina (bar) to help support his family, he achieved… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Patrick Fernandez Flores 1929

July 14, 1923 was the birthday of Rene Geronimo Favaloro, a pioneering heart surgeon, health care provider, and humanitarian.  Favaloro graduated from medical school in Argentina, and completed post graduate studies in Buenos Aires and the Cleveland Clinic.  Favaloro performed the world’s first documented heart bypass surgery in 1972.  His great heart was undone by… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Rene Geronimo Favaloro 1923

July 10, 1910 is the birthday of the all-American medal of honor winner, Jose Mendoza Lopez, who was born in Mission, Texas, to Mexican parents.  Lopez’ father was killed in the Mexican Revolution, and his mother died when he was 8. After a globe trotting tour as a boxer, Lopez joined the US Army in 1942. … Continue reading Jose Mendoza Lopez, Medal of Honor, 1910

Frida Kahlo began her wildly imaginative, tragic, ingenious life on July 6, 1907 in Coyoacán, Mexico.  Kahlo’s grandfather was a Hungarian Jewish immigrant and her mother was Hispanic-Native American.   Her father recognized and encouraged her iconoclastic nature and intellectual curiosity.  Kahlo suffered terribly from physical ailments:  polio as a child, a horrific streetcar accident in… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Frida Kahlo 1907

Birthday of Pablo Neruda (1904 –1973), poet, political activist and diplomat, born in Parral, Chile.  He was elected as Senator in the Communist Party, and was forced into hiding and exile when the party was banned in Chile.   In 1952, his stay at an Italian villa on the island of Capri inspired the popular film… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Pablo Neruda 1904

The Island of Puerto Rico was among the numerous battlefields in the Spanish American War.  US forces landed (or, invaded, depending on your point of view) on July 25, 1898, ending 400 years of Spanish rule.  This event is now celebrated in Puerto Rico as Constitution Day, honoring the Constitution that was adopted by the… Continue reading Puerto Rican Constitution Day 1952

On July 3, 1890, Idaho was admitted to the Union as the 43rd US state. Joining the Americans in the celebrations were Idaho’s native citizens of Spanish Basque heritage.  Idaho has one of the largest concentrations of Spanish Basque populations outside of Spain.  The Basque region is in the northeast of Spain, where the Basques maintain… Continue reading Spanish Founders of Idaho … Yes, Idaho

July 3, 1888 is the birthday of the prolific and poetic Spanish writer, Ramón Gómez de la Serna, born in Madrid, Spain.  While educated at the University of Madrid Law School, he chose another professional, gifting the world with one less lawyer and one more extraordinary literary talent.  Serna penned short stories, plays, novels, biographies,… Continue reading Ramón Gómez de la Serna, Spanish Writer 1888

World peace, that lofty mission, was among the goals of Salvador de Madariaga y Rojo, a Spanish engineer, journalist, diplomat, politician, and professor. Rojo was born on July 23, 1886 in La Coruña, Spain. He worked in the League of Nations, the unsuccessful precursor to the United Nations, in its work on disarmament. When the Spanish Civil… Continue reading Salvador de Madariaga y Rojo 1886

The Civil War raged through the Southwest as well as the South, and many Latinos fought to defend the USA.   The Battle of Honey Springs was the largest battle fought in the Native American national territories, on July 17, 1873.  Latino Colonel Leonidas M. Martin organized and led the 10th Texas Calvary, and later commanded… Continue reading Latino Bravery in the United States Civil War 1861–1865

July 4, 1872 marked the death of US Colonel Carlos Alvarez de la Mesa, a Spanish immigrant who fought at Gettysburg for the Union in the Garibaldi Guard.  He was wounded in the battle, and was medically discharged shortly afterwards. His family donated over 200 letters that he wrote during the war to the New York… Continue reading Death of an Honored Latino Colonel 1872

He died in a blaze of gunfire, and his severed head was preserved in a jar of alcohol while joyful bounty hunters collected their reward.  Or, maybe not?  No one seems to know the true history and fate of Joaquin Carrillo Murrieta, whose legend lives on from the vanished era of the California Gold Rush… Continue reading The Death of Joaquin Carrillo Murrieta 1853 … Or not?

The earth-shattering barrage continued from July 9 to July 15, 1854, as the undocumented US Navy bombarded and burned the town San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua. The stated reason was to avenge an “insult” of the norteamericano Minister to Nicaragua.  The number of civilian casualties was not listed in my research sources.  The terror of the… Continue reading Burning of San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua 1854

Before Barack and Michelle or George and Laura, the admired power couple of the Americas was Benito and Margarita Júarez, the President and First Lady of Mexico.  The couple married on July 31, 1843 in Oaxaca, a province in southwestern Mexico on the Pacific Coast.  Benito Júarez is one of Mexico’s most revered presidents.  He… Continue reading Benito and Margarita Júarez, President and First Lady of Mexico 1843

As bullets from the firing squad cruelly cracked the early morning air, Father Miguel Hidalgo, the rebel priest, crumbled to the desert earth.  Hidalgo is regarded as one of founders of modern Mexico.  Born to parents of Spanish heritage in Mexico, his assignment in the region of Dolores, Mexico, transformed him from social activist to… Continue reading Death of Father Miguel Hidalgo 1811

The South American democratic revolutions against the Spanish royalists gained momentum in the early 19th century.  On July 5, 1811, Venezuela declared independence from Spain, the first country on the southern continent to begin its liberation from colonial powers.  Venezuela had a difficult path to its independence.  The first Republic of Venezuela did not fully… Continue reading Venezuelan Independence 1811

David Glasglow Farragut was born on July 5, 1801, to the son of Spanish immigrant and Revolutionary War soldier Jorge Farragut.   He began his service to his country in the War of 1812, and later hunted for the pirates of the Caribbean (the real sailing criminals, not Disney and Johnny Depp).  Farragut was the hero… Continue reading David Glasglow Farragut, US Civil War Hero 1801

In 1798, the Marines were looking for a few good men – unfortunately, very few.  On July 11, 1798, the US Marine Corps was re-instituted as a whites-only unit, with the provision that “no negro, mulatto or Indian to be enlisted”.  This policy remained in effect until 1942.  The 21st century Marine Corps has embraced… Continue reading The Latino US Marines

As the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1983 to end the American Revolutionary War and liberate the North American colonies, the infant Simon de Bolivar made his debut in South America.  The man who became known as the “George Washington of South America” was born on July 24, Bolivar , in Caracas, Venezuela.  Bolivar… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Simon de Bolivar 1783

In July 1777 the Spanish ship “Salida Barra” departed from Spain to run the British blockade of the US rebel colonies.  A key tactic by the British was to prevent the struggling colonies from receiving supplies from overseas, which they could not produce in their war torn country.  The ship was carrying supplies for the… Continue reading Spanish Aid in the American Revolutionary War

On July 4, 1776, as the ink began to dry on the US Declaration of Independence on the East Coast, two Spanish priests began their journey to find a route from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the California missions. The priests were accompanied by a small number of explorers and a talented cartographer (a “cartographer”… Continue reading The Old Spanish Trail 1776

In the warm air of northern California, Spanish friar Junipero Serra founded his third mission of San Antonio de Padua on July 14, 1771. The mission was developed as a working farm with gristmill and tannery.  After extensive refurbishments due to damage from an earthquake, it is now open as a church, retreat center, and museum.… Continue reading San Antonio, California Mission of 1771

The city of Córdoba, Argentina, was founded on July 6, 1573, by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera.  Córdoba is located in the heart of Argentina, and the area was initially settled by the Comechingón nation.  Córdoba is the country’s second largest city and hosts Argentina’s second largest university.  The first Jesuit University in Argentina was established… Continue reading Founding of Córdoba, Argentina 1573

La Laguna encomienda, now known as the Laguna province in the Philippines, was founded on July 28, 1571 by the Spaniards.  La Laguna is one of the oldest provinces in the nation of the Philippines.  It is located southeast of the metropolis of Manila, the country’s capital.  The Spanish invaded and colonized the Philippines until the end of the Spanish… Continue reading Founding of the Laguna, Philippines 1571