JUAN RODRIGUEZ CABRILLO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• Born on March 13, 1499 in Spain.
• Came to Cuba in 1520 and joined the Spanish army.
• In Spain he met his wife, Beatriz Sanchez de Ortega .
• When Cabrillo and Beatriz went back to Guatemala they had 2 sons.
• Died on January 3, 1543 on San Miguel Island (today it is San Diego).

SPONSOR
Antonio de Mendoza, the Spanish ruler of Mexico, sent Cabrillo to explore the Pacific coast north of Mexico in 1541.

MOTIVES
Cabillo hoped to find valuable spices, cities of gold, and wealthy cities known as Cibola. He also wanted to find the Strait of Anian, a mythical all-water route across North America. (It's cousins with the Northwest Passage)

ROUTE
This is Cabrillo's route:

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Cabrillo explored the uncharted coastline of California.
• Found current-day San Diego.
• Fought as a captain of crossbow men in the battles of Aztecs and Spanish.
• Helped to find the city Oaxaca in Mexico.
• Was the first European to find the west coast of America.

IMPACT(S)
Voyage allowed Spain to proceed with the task of colonizing the expanded Spanish empire and dispel myths.

RIDDLE

• He wanted to find valuable spices and cities of gold
• He was born in Europe
• He sailed from Port of Navidad, Mexico on June 27, 1542
• He led the first European expedition to present-day California
• He found current-day San Diego

FUN FACTS

• Died from gangrene, a disease
• Was buried on Catalina Island
• Led the first European expedition on present-day California
• Got injured from a fall in San Miguel Island (broke his leg and it never healed)
• Named present-day San Diego, San Miguel

SOURCES
Database Source:
Wordbook
Website Source:
www.americanjourneys.org
www.sandiegohistory.org
www.geni.com
www.landofthebrave.info