Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
People, Places and Events on Stamps

Gaspar de Portola

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6-cent California Settlement stamp

In 1769, Gaspar de Portola, who was accompanied by Father Junipero Serra, led a Spanish expedition to settle California. At what is now San Diego, the first of 21 missions and presidios (forts) began the Spanish colonization. A 6-cent stamp was issued to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the settlement of California on July 16, 1969.

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This 10-cent stamp commemorates the discovery of San Francisco Bay in 1769 by Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola. It portrays a Spanish expedition party on the shores of the San Francisco Bay. The stamp was issued on January 1, 1913.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage