During the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade Era from 1565 to 1815, Spanish galleons crossed the Pacific between the Philippines and Mexico. On October 18, 1587, the Manila Galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza, commanded by Pedro de Unamuno, entered Morro Bay near here. A landing party that included Luzon Indios went ashore, marking the first landing of Filipinos in the continental United States. The party took official possession of the area for Spain by putting up a cross made of branches. Two days later, the group was attacked by native Indians, and one of the Filipinos was killed. Unamuno and his crew then gave up further exploration of this part of the coast.