• Who Served as the First Governor of California?

    The first governor of California was Peter Hardeman Burnett, who took office on December 20, 1849. Burnett was an American lawyer, businessman, and politician originally from Tennessee. His election as California’s first governor came during a unique period of rapid change for the region, just after California’s transition from Mexican…

  • What Event Caused a Massive Influx of People to California in 1849?

    The event that brought a massive influx of people to California in 1849 was the California Gold Rush. It began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill near Coloma, California, by James W. Marshall. News of the discovery quickly spread, initially within California and then across the United…

  • Who Was the First European to Explore California’s Coast?

    The first European known to explore California’s coast was Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer sailing under the Spanish flag. His historic journey took place in 1542, during the height of Spain’s expeditions to explore and claim new territories in the Americas. Cabrillo set sail from Mexico (then called New…