California 175 is an initiative of the One Voter Project to commemorate the 175 years of California statehood. Below are a list of events from the first years of California Statehood to help you plan.
1849
January 24, 1849: Gold is discovered at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, sparking the California Gold Rush and leading to a massive influx of fortune seekers from around the world.
April 3, 1849: The first large wave of gold seekers, known as “forty-niners,” arrives in San Francisco by sea, marking the beginning of a population boom in California.
May 12, 1849: The California Constitutional Convention convenes in Monterey to draft a state constitution in anticipation of California’s admission to the Union.
June 14, 1849: The town of San Francisco is officially incorporated, reflecting its rapid growth and importance as a commercial hub during the Gold Rush.
August 14, 1849: The New York Herald publishes an article titled “Gold, Gold, Gold from the American River!” spreading news of the California Gold Rush to the East Coast and fueling further migration to the West.
October 10, 1849: California Governor Peter Burnett issues a proclamation calling for the organization of a state government and elections to be held in November, laying the groundwork for California’s transition to statehood.
November 13, 1849: The California State Legislature holds its first session in San Jose, marking the establishment of California’s legislative body and governance structure.
December 15, 1849: The California Constitutional Convention adopts the first California State Constitution, paving the way for California’s admission to the Union as a state.
December 20, 1849: The U.S. President Zachary Taylor signs the Compromise of 1850, which includes provisions for the admission of California as a free state, setting the stage for California’s official entry into the Union the following year.
1850
January 19, 1850: California’s first Constitution Convention convenes in Monterey to draft a state constitution in preparation for statehood.
April 15, 1850: The City of San Francisco is incorporated, solidifying its status as a major urban center in California.
May 11, 1850: The California State Legislature passes the Act for the Government and Protection of Indians, legalizing the forced labor of Native Americans and contributing to widespread exploitation and abuse.
July 9, 1850: President Millard Fillmore signs the Compromise of 1850 into law, admitting California as a free state and addressing various issues related to the expansion of slavery in the United States.
August 14, 1850: California holds its first statewide elections, selecting officials for various state and local positions under its newly established government.
September 9, 1850: California officially becomes the 31st state of the United States, marking a significant milestone in the state’s history and its emergence as a political and economic powerhouse in the American West.
September 16, 1850: The California State Legislature convenes for its first session in San Jose, laying the groundwork for the state’s legislative process and governance structure.
November 13, 1850: The California Supreme Court holds its first session, establishing the highest judicial authority in the state and shaping the development of California law.
December 19, 1850: The Pueblo de Los Angeles is incorporated as the City of Los Angeles, formalizing its municipal government and paving the way for its growth into one of the largest cities in the United States.
December 20, 1850: California’s first Governor, Peter Hardeman Burnett, is inaugurated, assuming leadership of the newly admitted state and guiding its early development.