This Day in California History (July 16) Cal Wire Archives By Cal Wire Archives Share: Follow CALWIRE: 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.1945 — World War II: The heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis leaves San Francisco with parts for the atomic bomb "Little Boy" bound for Tinian Island.
