La Jolla resident donates historic map to UCSD

Longtime La Jolla resident Alfonso de Bourbon recently donated a historical map entitled “The Spanish Heritage and Contribution to the American Independence 1512-1823” — signed by Alejandro de Muns — to UCSD in celebration of the university’s 50th Anniversary. The in-kind gift was made in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and Columbus Day, which was celebrated on Monday.

Nearly two decades ago, de Bourbon, who is of Spanish decent, played an integral role in establishing San Diego and Alcalá de Henares in Spain as “Sister Cities.” Today, the two cities are still linked by the Sister Cities International program, which was initially founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who believed that twinning cities and connecting people at the community level would forge strong international relations and build trust, which would result in a more peaceful world.