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California is Occupied Indigenous Land
California Indigenous populations thrived before Spanish settlement in the 1700's. Many groups migrated and traveled along the coast, shared languages, and were able to hold onto their culture and language and culture longer than those in the American mid-west and east coast. [https://calisphere.org/exhibitions/t1/native-americans/] -
Spanish Missionaries Begin to Colonize California
The first Europeans to visit the city's future site were the Spanish explorers Pedro Fages and Reverend Juan Crespi, who passed through the East Bay in 1772. After Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, large tracts of land in California were granted to military heroes and loyalists. [https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/112/History-of-Richmond#history] -
California Becomes a State
California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850. The Golden State’s rich history has since been shaped by people of every ethnic background who traveled here seeking economic, social and educational opportunity, and a life of quality and breathtaking beauty. [https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23856] -
Hitler Appointed to Chancellor in Germany
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Bombing of Pearl Harbor
On the morning of December 7, 1941 military forces of the Empire of Japan attacked the United States Naval Fleet and ground bases at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. [https://www.pbs.org/video/war-pearl-harbor-attack/] -
Mexican-Americans Show Patriotism
Mexican-Americans showed up in large numbers to serve the United States. They entertained troops stationed on U.S. military bases, raised funds, and started victory gardens to in effort to promote patriotism. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1_3VPSf3Ns] -
Executive Order 9066
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which imprisoned all people of Japanese descent in the United States. This included the continental states and Hawaii. Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes, businesses, and all possession to live in internment camps from 1942-1944. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVyIa11ZtAE] -
Gay & Lesbians Enlist in the Military
The queer community enlisted into the armed forces to serve their country but under constant scrutiny. Being outted also meant that gay servicemen & women could be discharged at any moment. Most stayed closeted, but some were able to live openly without being caught. -
African-Americans during World War II
Although most of the United States was segregated and lived under Jim Crow Laws, one million African-American men and women enlisted into the military. Young men enlisted into the draft, where they served in segregated battalions. The military would stay segregated until 1948. -
Map of Japanese Internment Camps
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Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter becomes a U.S. icon and is made the subject of a song by the Four Vagabonds -
African-Americans during World War II
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Bracero Program
The Bracero Program brought many Mexican migrants to work in the fields of the United States from 1942-1964. This was in response to the labor shortage of men in the United States. This is also a pattern of the United States bringing in cheap labor and demonstrating light immigration laws for the benefit of the
economy. [http://braceroarchive.org] -
Labor Shortage
With most men responding for Uncle Sam, a labor shortage calls out for migrant workers, women, and people of Color. [https://youtu.be/eKrHfTGWxQ4] -
Native Americans Enlist
44,000 Native Americans enlisted into the U.S. Military between 1911-1943. Those most famous of these groups were the Navajo Code Talkers, who used indigenous language to relay messages over enemy lines during World War II. -
Zoot Suit Riots
Before the end of World War II, the treatment of Mexican-Americans who donned the Zoot Suit went from casual racism to what is known now as the Zoot Suit Riots. Both Mexican and white men being away at war, more Mexican-Americans began to fill the employment gap in Los Angeles. Racial tension and a world war created social anxiety between the communities. In June, U.S. servicemen attacked and stripped Mexicans their outward luxury: the Zoot Suit. -
Zoot Suit Riots
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Hiroshima & Nagasaki
The United States drops two atomic bombs over Japan which includes Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japanese families in internment camps hear the news of the deaths of friend and family. While imprisoned, Japenese internees were asked if they would denounce Japan and their loyalty to the emperor. Many said yes if it meant to be freed from internment. -
World War II Ends
Several events concluded the World War II in different parts of the world. D-Day took place on June 6, 1944, and was the beginning of the end of World War II. May 8, 1945 marked the surrender of the Germans in Europe. The Japanese surrendered towards the end of 1945.
