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Jan 1, 1535
Exploration
California was first explored by the Spanish by Hernando Cortes who lead an expedition to La Paz and opened a small colony. -
Jan 1, 1539
Gulf of California
Francisco de Ulloa explores the Gulf of California -
Oct 18, 1542
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
The Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodiguez Cabrillo, explores California. -
Jan 1, 1545
Typhus
The Eurpoeans bring typhus to California and the epidemic kills hundreds of thousands of natives. -
Dec 11, 1579
Sir Francis Drake
The great British sailor, Sir Francis Drake, lands north of San Francisco Bay and claims the territory for England but the land is taken by the Spanish -
Gasper de Portolb
Gaspar de Portolb, governor of the Californias, led an expedition up the Pacific coast, established California's first mission on San Diego Bay -
The Seven Years War
The Seven Years War was a war between the French and Native Americans due to disputes over land is won by Great Britain. France gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the English in return for Cuba. -
Mission
The first mission and presidio are built in San Diego. -
American Revolution
1775 - 1783: The American Revolution creates the United States of America. The Revolution was due to the British burden of taxes and total power to legislate any laws governing the American colonies. George Washington led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (American War of Independence). -
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence -
Alliance
July 10, 1778 - France declares war against Britain and makes an alliance with the American revolutionary forces -
Pueblo
A pueblo is built near the Los Angeles River. -
Fort Ross
The RussianAmerican Fur Company builds Fort Ross. -
Mexico is Free
Mexico becomes free from Spanish control. -
Setting in California
People from the United States begin to Settle in California. -
Invasion of Mexico
The United States invades Mexico from the east starting the Mexican-American War won by the US on July 9, 1846 -
Gold
Gold is found near Sacramento. -
Gold Rush
James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's sawmill in Coloma which starts the Gold Rush -
United States
California becomes part of the United States. -
Pony Express
The Pony Express starts carrying mail from Missouri to California -
Civil War
1861 - 1865: The American Civil War. In 1859 John Brown raided Harpers Ferry and set in motion events that led directly to the outbreak of the Civil War. outbreak of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president and in 1861 the South Secedes. The initial Secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed -
Abolishment of Slavery
1865 December 6: The Abolishment of Slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified, thus officially abolishing slavery -
End of Confederacy
The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy -
Spanish American War
1898 - 1901: The Spanish American War. On December 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris the US annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines
