In 1602, Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino set foot in Monterey Bay and he named the area in honor of the Viceroy of New Spain who ordered his expedition. Under a large oak tree (near the intersection of Pacific and Artillery Streets today), his crew celebrated mass in thanks for getting there safely. 168 years later, on June 3, 1770, Captain Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra landed in Monterey and had mass in the same location. They were on an expedition to find Vizcaino's landing place and establish the Presidio of Monterey. During the founding of Monterey, Spanish soldiers fired muskets, bells were rung. It was on that date that the City of Monterey was also founded, leading to our 250 year sestercentennial in 2020.