Timeline of Major Events in California's History
(with a San Francisco Bay Area focus)
Dates
long before 1492
1492
1519
1542
1565
1579
1595
1602
1769
1775
1777
1812
1827
1839
1846
1848
1849
1850
1862
1869
1873
1901
1906
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Hundreds of different native tribes had their villages throughout what is now known as North and South America.
Christopher Columbus "discovers" America.
Hernando Cortez conquers the Aztecs opening Spanish exploration/settlement in Central and South America.
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo explores Alta California's coast on behalf of Spain
First Manila galleon crosses the Pacific Ocean.
Francis Drake, a pirate, sailing for England lands in Point Reyes while stealing from the Spanish Galleons.
The San Agustin being sailed by Cermano for Spain crashes Point Reyes
Sebastian Vizcaino attempts to follow Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's journey.
Father Junipero Serra and the rest of his expedition establish Mission San Diego de Alcala. This is the first mission in Alta California
Juan Baustista de Anza starts his expedition to settle Alta California and the Spanish sail into San Francisco Bay.
The pueblo of San Jose is established.
Fort Ross is founded by the Russians.
Jedidiah Smith and his crew become the first Americans to enter California over land from the Sierras.
John Sutter receives a land grant from Mexican government to create a fort in the northeastern part of California.
The Bear Revolt occurs in California.
James Marshall discovers gold in January. Mexico signs over all land north of the Rio Grande River to the United States in February.
The Constitutional Convention occurs in Monterey. The gold rush is officially underway.
After nine months of debate, California is admitted to Union as the 31st state.
The building of the Transcontinental Railroad is approved.
The Transcontinental Railroad is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah.
The cable car is introduced in San Francisco.
Water is diverted from the Colorado River to the Imperial Valley. It later floods the valley.
The Great Earthquake strikes San Francisco.
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