🌉 CALIFORNIA Day 2025 – Feb 22

🇺🇸 CALIFORNIA Day ORIGIN & HISTORY

CALIFORNIA Day is celebrated on the 22nd Day in February.

California Day is a Day to celebrate the state and all that it is. It is viewed as a place to build the American Dream. On September 9th 1850 California became the 31st State. California has a rich history of the development of the people  that have come from all over the world and make the state what it is today. Damian Bacich is a history professor with 25 years experience, a native Californian and a person who has a deep passion for the history or California and has created an excellent resource for kids and adults to learn about the state. He has a great website called the California Frontier Project that will help you learn the history and development of the state.

The Library of Congress has wonderful brief articles written about California’s past.  It has excellent resources to help you understand California and its historical development. California is topographically challenging and rugged. History however despite challenges has helped pave the way to allow the state to become what it is today.

There is a lot of information regarding the state since it is one of the biggest, richest, most populated, and advanced states in the whole United States. There is a link above that will shed light on the complexity of California. California’s economy is so vast that it is the fifth largest in the world. Despite topographical challenges California is one of the United States state powerhouses.

The first people in the beginning of California

The history of  California began possibly as long as 130,000 to 19000 years. Years before Europeans colonized California, the topography of California created an area that was culturally and linguistically diverse. The people that lived in California were isolated by the deserts and mountains in the state and the rest of the United States.. However  prior to pre-Columbian North America California contained the highest number of Native American Indian nations north of Mexico.

Many Asian people crossed the Bering Strait, a small strip of land to get to the Americas. Many of these early people came to California. There were many different small indigenous groups that also settled into the California territory ranging from 50 to 500 people in these groups.

The first peoples of California were very diverse while many Spanish colonists came to California and were  received very warmly by the indigenous people.  Including Sir Francis Drake who was actually crowned by the native people. Sadly over time as the people built missions and places for militia. Both natives and Europeans lived together and disease led to the spreading of disease. This wiped out many of the native people.

There are over 100 federally recognized Native American tribes in California today.

European Exploration to California

On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who was a sailor for Hernon Cortez discovered California. He and his crew came to the San Diego Bay. They were the first Europeans to visit California. The name they gave this area was called “Alta California” which is upper California separated by lower California Baja California.

California’s history was filled with romance, lore, and legends.  It is well suited that the territory that is now the state of California was named for a fictional island paradise. When Spanish explorers first came to this part of North America’s Pacific Coast in the 16th century. A popular Spanish romance  sequel to a story told by Gardi Rodriguez de Montalvo called Las Sergas de Esplandian was the reason why California received its name.

Later explorer Sir Francis Drake came to an area just north of San Francisco and stayed there for about a month. He claimed the area for England and called the land New Albion but once he left the area would quickly be forgotten.

For a long time California merely represented a stopping point for sailors to come to shore up until the 1700s when California became a place for the military and mission work. 21 missions along the coast were built to help  convert the Native Americans to Catholicism. They also built military forts called presidios. One of the presidios to the south became the city of San Diego while a mission built to the north would later become the city of Los Angeles. Pueblos were established which were set up as small towns.

California under Mexican Rule

California became a province of the country of Mexico. Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821. California therefore became a region despite resistance to being under the rule of Mexico. Large cattle ranches and farms were built called ranchos and replaced the pueblos. At this time other people from other parts of the United States began to move into the area where they could trap and trade in beaver furs which could be exchanged for manufactured goods. Natives that were converted to Catholicism in the missions were kicked off of their land when these ranchos were established.

The majority of California’s people are of European descent, but the state’s minority groups are large. More than one-fourth of California’s residents were born outside the United States. Mexicans make up the largest foreign-born group while many other larger groups of people came from the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, and India.

1848 California Striking Gold

During the 16th and 17th centuries European exploration resulted in the colonization of California by the Spanish Empire. In 1804 an area referred to as Alta California was a province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The area was part of Mexico in 1821. In 1848 the California Gold Rush took place which first occurred in Sutter’s Mill. This is the original location of where the California Gold rush began. This resulted in a grand insurgence of immigration into California which brought socio and demographic change. Greed of gold mining resulted in a mass genocide of indigenous peoples in California.

In 1850 The United States acquired California

Prior to California becoming a state many settlers were moving to California from the east. They came west using the Oregon Trail and California Trail. Settlers resisted the ruling of the Mexican government. In 1846, John Fremont led the settlers from the east in a revolt against the Mexican government. The land of California they declared was independent and called the area the Bear Flag Republic. The Bear Republic ended quickly.

The United States and Mexico went to war in 1846 in a battle called the Mexican-American War. Mexico lost the war and California became a United States territory.

The people of California wanted the territory to become an official state. On September 9, 1850, The upper portion of California called Alta California was organized and made the 31st state in the United States following the Compromise of 1850. The people of California are very diverse from the origin of any of the  indigenous people that survived, the Europeans that migrated during the European expansion, and Mexicans that moved into the aea when Mexico claimed the area.

Then there was the mass immigration of people that came from over the world with the discovery of the Gold Rush.  Learn the interesting story of what happened during California’s Gold Rush. 49ers were people in search of where the gold came from.

After that many people came and still come to California in pursuit of their lifestyle.

There is a lot to discuss regarding California because it is so dynamic in people. The topography of Californias gives the state very distinct features. California cultivates some of the best agriculture products in the world. The climate is also very different from various regions in the state. California has various regions and climates which offer sandy sunny beaches with surfing, coastal windy wine country in Sonoma and Napa Valley. , and Mountains of Yosemite and Sierra Madres. Overall though the state is very dry and this results in many large fires.

Yosemite Protected By John Muir.

John Muir was born in Scotland April 21, 1838. He was a naturalist, a writer, and an advocate of the U.S. forest conservation group. His efforts led to the establishment of Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park. Both are located in California. The Sierra Club was created by John Muir and other conservationists.

Yosemite is amazing in grandeur featuring waterfalls, towering granite monoliths, deep valleys and ancient giant sequoias. John Muir wrote about preserving the precious ecosystem of the High Sierra. Yosemite National Park was the first time that the government would work to promote protection of land so people could enjoy this area. President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant on June 30, 1864 this was twenty-six years before Yosemite would become the Nation’s 3rd national park. This effort all contributed to promoting the preservation of the Yosemite Valley in addition to  Mariposa Grove. This effort all went to further help conservational efforts to create national parks so they could be protected and people would be able to appreciate God’s natural beauty on earth.

There are so many things that helped to shape California into what it is today.

California Today

California is widely shaped by its economy. Many people flocked to California for Hollywood because of its vast topography. Hollywood’s sign is the iconic symbol which was erected in 1923. Thomas Edison monopolized the movie maker industry which he held patents for. Hollywood was one ideal location to shoot films and where movie makers could not be sued by Thomas Edison for patents he held by and his Motion Picture Patents Company.

The sunny location was also warm with consistent sunny weather and diverse terrain This made California a Hollywood Dream.

The economy flourishes from select agriculture, oil, tourism, shipping, and after 1940s the advancement in technology in areas that specialize in aerospace, electronics, and a repable military presence. California opened the door to a place to live a better life in search of the American Dream.   Silicon Valley is the epicenter of the world’s computer innovation. Silicon Valley is home to Adobe, Alphabet, Apple, Cisco, eBay, HP, Intel, LinkedIn, Meta, Nvidia, Paypal, and Zoom. Smaller Silicon Valley tech companies.

Lastly no History of California would be complete without pointing out one of the most famous parts of California. The first work on the Golden Gate Bridge in 1933, In 1937 the Bridge opened The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that goes over the San Francisco Bay. It connects San Francisco to Marin County.

CALIFORNIA STATE Motto

“Eureka”
(I have found it)

🎬 HOW to Celebrate & Observe CALIFORNIA Day?

Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.

Here are some activities that you can do on CALIFORNIA Day!

💙 EAT your way through the State

California is your one-stop shop for many foodie essentials, including almonds, milk, artisan style cheeses, grapes, lettuces, pistachios, potatoes, olives, oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes. Over a third of the country’s vegetables and two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts are grown in California. The majority of these crops are from California’s Central Valley.

Certain foods are staples in California cooking like baja fresh options which is all about keeping food light and fresh and includes seafood, there’s also San Diego burritos, sushi in particular the california roll (cucumber, avocado, and crab wrapped in rice with a nori wrapper on the inside of the rice), avocado toast, tacos or nachos.

California has every imaginable food you could wish for. Certain dishes however originated in this state. Either way you could celebrate California by eating a California staple meal or ingredient.  Remember if you enjoy wine, compliment your meal with a nice glass of world class California vintages.

Jelly Belly has an excellent wine and chocolate tasting at their location in Fairfield California near San Francisco. The wine tour allows you to sample excellent wines from the region paired with delicious chocolates. You’ll also want to visit the Jelly Belly museum and the Jelly Belly store.

Here is a list of some foods that came from California.

Patty Melts came from California in the 1940s. A Patty melt is an American sandwich consisting of Swiss cheese and a fried onion-topped hamburger patty on grilled rye bread.

California Pizza was created by Ed LaDou and other chefs at the famous restaurant. The crust is similar to thin New York or Italian style. It has a  light, airy, soft texture. It has unusual toppings ranging from shrimp, artichokes, to smoked salmon and much more unique ingredients.

Perhaps you could go out to eat at California Pizza Kitchen or buy one frozen. CPK has great options for people that want or need to eat gluten free cauliflower pizza crust . You could make a cauliflower pizza crust at  home. Top with your choice of sauce such as fra diavolo, black bean, or marinara,  then add cheese or hold the cheese, add veggies, seafood, chicken, or meat.

Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl preferably sourdough. When the miners came to the San Francisco Bay area during the gold rush they brought sourdough.  The Boudin Bakery in 1849 introduced sour dough to the public. You can get a hearty bowl of clam chowder in Sourdough at Fisherman’s wharf. If you’re not near San Francisco how about enjoying clam chowder with some sour dough at home. Don’t forget to stop by the original Giradelli after your meal for a delicious chocolate treat located near Fisherman’s Wharf! The Exploratorium offers great views of the San Francisco Bay Area and you and your family can spend hours learning lots of cool science stuff!

Cobb Salad The Hollywood’s Brown Derby introduced this salad in 1937. Los Angeles has many restaurants that have Cobb Salads on their menu. The base of a Cobb salad sits on top of a bed of lettuce or lettuces, you may use any crunchy vegetable that you have on hand, avocado, and tomato, egg, ham, turkey, finally topped with your salad dressing of choice. The great thing about the Cobb Salad is its versatility. Just ask Gwenyeth Paltrow who loves Lobster Cobb Salads. Enjoy it any way you want by changing up ingredients.

French Dip Philippe Mathieu accidently made a French Dip in 1918, Phillippe’s is a famous restaurant in Los Angeles and opened in 1908. It is said that the French Dip, whether you like it or not, was created by Philippe’s when he accidently dropped the French roll into a hot roasting pan filled with juices. There are many wonderful Michelin star restaurants in Los Angeles. If you enjoy fine dining dont miss Phillippe’s.

💙 MUSIC that captures all cultural genres

California’s popularity has roots in folk-pop, psychedelia, country-rock, hair metal and hip-hop.

No one can forget Brian Wilson’s surfer pop Beach Boy music even if it’s not popular anymore. The surfer sound made its  mark not to be forgotten or at least for a long time to come.

Major cities and towns in California have their own definition of what is good music. Los Angeles stands out in California as a place where Californian music was born from the style to the performers that were born there.

The 1920s through 1950s was influenced by Jazz. The 1950s had influences  from Mexican Immigrants that produced Latin Pop Rock. La Bamba was the first on this scene after his death he became a huge influence to Los Lobos and other Latin Pop Rock artists to come.

In the 1960’s rock artists on the scene were Toto, The Doors and The Byrds. In the 1980s hard rock from the Axel Roses band Guns and Roses was huge. In the 1990s bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tool were popular.

Coachella features some of the top music played today throughout Los Angeles. The event takes place in Indio California, a two hour trip from LA. This event is one of the most popular music and arts festivals in the world. The festival sees some of the biggest pop, rap and electronic music artists in music. The event has names like Coldplay, Beyonce. Eminem and Calvin Harris are amongst the artists to appear during Coachella. If you’re in LA visiting or live there don’t forget to check out the Grammy Museum, Capitol Records, and the sunset strip

Music lovers must definitely take a trip to Central Avenue to understand contributions made by jazz musicians. The Lincoln Theatre and Dunbar Hotel are places that represent jazz legacy greats such as African-American musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

San Francisco seems to like Indy European rock and bands like ABBA. San Diego’s popular music would be surfer pop. Bakersfield California has had a music influence that was dominated by Nashville’s country music. Artists from this area include Buck Owens and future star Merle Haggard.

Whatever music suits your style there are musicians that have come from or influenced the California scene. Listen to a native Californian performer on this day.

💙 CALIFORNIA dreamin’

Visit a top California attraction. There is so much to see and do in this state but here are a few ideas if you are planning a trip or are in California.

There are many great California theme parks to visit. Undoubtedly if you love Roller Coasters. California is the United States meca for having the most roller coasters. SoCal has Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Disneyland, and California’s Adventure. There’s also a Six Flags in Viejo  Santa Monica and San Diego. San Franciscos has a Six Flags property Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California.

Here is just a brief list of options RedWood Forest, Joshua National Park, Lake Tahoe, Sequoia National Park see General Sherman, one of the sequoias which are among the largest trees in the world.  Go to the beach there are so many amazing California Beaches and they all offer something unique and are beautiful… of course Venice Beach and Laguna Beach are very popular beach locations. Go to Death Valley National Park while you’re there and check out Dante’s Peak. This is a terrace with stunning views of Death Valley. This unique valley happens to be the lowest point in North America.  Badwater Basin in Death Valley is also the hottest and driest area in North America.

See the Golden Gate Bridge and check out the town of San Francisco by San Francisco trolley. They have a large Asian Influence and ChinaTown is great as is Little Italy. There are many steep streets to climb so be prepared. After a steep hike enjoy a delicious Sundae at Ghirardelli in San Francisco. They are amazingly delicious and over the top.

Visit Los Angeles, one of the best fashion capitals of the world with Rodeo Drive.  While there visit the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory are wonderful places to visit, hike and see and learn about Earth and get a view of outer space. Also visit Big Sur and Yosemite National Park. Again I could go on and on about the great things to do but it would take a long time. On a day to celebrate still stumped, take a quick 4 minute tour of breathtaking views to explore many great things to do in California. Enjoy!

💙 RAISE Social Awareness

Use social media posts with the hashtags #CaliforniaDay, #NationalCaliforniaDay, #StateofCalifornia, #California, #CA, #AppreciationHolidays, #FebruaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ CALIFORNIA Day.

LEARN all about the State of CALIFORNIA

BARRY THE BALD EAGLE & VAL THE VALLEY QUAIL

TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN CALIFORNIA

TEN Key Facts you never knew about CALIFORNIA Day

1. California is the most populous state with over 40 million people.
2. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is painted with the color “international orange”. It’s the best color to blend in with the natural surroundings and makes it more visible during foggy conditions.
3. The San Francisco Bay Area’s Silicon Valley is the birthplace of the tech industry and home to many of the world’s largest tech companies.
4. California is home to nine national parks including Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Redwood National Park, and Sequoia National Park.
5. Sequoia National Park is home to General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume. It stands at 275 feet (83 meters) tall and is over 36 feet (11 meters) in diameter at the base
6. The Hollywood sign in Los Angeles was erected in 1923 to advertise real estate. Originally it was only supposed to be up for a few months, but since became a symbol of both the city as well as the entertainment industry.
7. California experienced a huge population boom with the California Gold Rush of 1849 leading to its citizens voting to join the United States the very next year.
8. One of the most diverse states, more than 200 languages are spoken in California including 100 indigenous ones.
9. California became the first state to pass a law ensuring all publicly traded companies headquartered there must have at least one woman reside on the company board of directors.
10. Both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States can be found in the state of California. Mount Whitney is the highest point at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters) while the lowest point is Death Valley at -282 feet (-86 meters) below sea level.

Famous PEOPLE also born on February 22nd

• Eric Gill

  English sculptor, typeface designer, and printmaker best known for developing a popular typeface in 1927. Gill Sans as it’s called uses clean lines and good proportions for font legibility. Born 1882.

  ERIC GILL Quote

  “There are now about as many different varieties of letters as there are different kinds of fools.”

• Robert “Gentle Giant” Wadlow

  Nicknamed “Alton Giant” or the “Giant of Illinois”, he’s simply known as the tallest man in recorded history! He was from Alton Illinois, a small town just outside St Louis Missouri, and became taller than his dad by age 8. By the time he graduated from Alton High School, he was 8 feet 4 inches (254 cm) tall and had a special school desk. While requiring braces to walk, he never used a wheelchair yet had very little feeling in his legs and feet. Robert was quite strong. The International Shoe Company provided free custom shoes as he advertised on a public tour. Adjusted for inflation, his $100 shoes cost about $2,000 nowadays. His shoe is an unbelievable size 37AA (UK 36/EU 75) which is roughly 18.5 inches (47 cm) long. He even toured with the Ringling Brothers Circus which made him a celebrity – always wearing regular clothes and refusing to wear a top hat & tails. Sadly one of his braces irritated his ankle, it got infected and needed a blood transfusion but his immune system had been compromised. Wadlow died weighing 439 lb (199 kg), measured 8 feet 11.1 inches (2.72 meters), and every indication was that he was STILL growing at age 22. His 10 foot 9 inch (3.28 meters) steel coffin weighed 1,000 lbs and required 16 men to carry it. Born 1918.

  RARE COLOR VIDEO OF THE TALLEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED!

  ROBERT WADLOW Quote

  “I used to play on the basketball team and naturally I was the high scorer. And it was an easy matter for me to stand near the basket … I could just reach up a little bit and drop it in.”

• James Hong

  American actor best known as the quintessential Chinese man on over almost 700 stage, screen, or animation roles. For me, he will always be Mr Ping, Po’s adopted father in Kung Fu Panda and purveyor of the best noodle soup this side of China. Of course, this is with his amazing secret ingredient … NOTHING (shhh)! Born 1929.

  JAMES HONG Quote

  “As long as I have the talent and there’s a demand for the old Chinese man – whether he’s a philosopher, or a master, or an old-time restaurant owner, or a villain, or a so-called good guy – I will always be working.”

Future DATES for CALIFORNIA Day

🥑 State of California FAQ

WHEN is CALIFORNIA Day?

• CALIFORNIA Day is an annual celebration held on February 22nd each year.

What are the must-see tourist ATTRACTIONS in California?

• California is home to many longtime attractions including Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, Hollywood, and the beaches of Santa Monica, Malibu, and San Diego. Other popular destinations include Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, and Lake Tahoe.

What’s the WEATHER like in California?

• This depends on what part of the state you’re in. Coastal areas have a mild, Mediterranean-like climate with cool, foggy summers and mild winters. The desert regions in the southeastern part of the state can be extremely hot in the summer and chilly in the winter.

What are California’s STATE SYMBOLS?

• Some of the more commonly seen state symbols of the State of California include:

• • The State Bird of California is the California Quail.
  • The State Fruit of California is the Avocado.
  • The State Flower of California is the California Poppy.
  • The State Animal of California is the California Grizzly Bear.
  • The State Insect of California is the California Dogface Butterfly.
  • The State Dance of California is West Coast Swing Dancing (similar to the Jitterbug).
  • The State Tree of California is the California Redwood.

The Imp💜rtance of CALIFORNIA Day

The importance of observing CALIFORNIA Day is a way to honor and appreciate the many things that make California a special and important part of the United States. It gives us an excuse to commemorate and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of the state of California including:

1. RICH History & Culture

   California has a rich history and diverse culture that includes its indigenous peoples, Spanish colonization, the California Gold Rush, and the film and music industries. Appreciating CALIFORNIA Day is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the state’s history and culture.

2. NATURAL Beauty

   The state is known for its stunning natural beauty. Whether you visit the rugged coastline, towering redwoods, deserts, or majestic mountains, this is a day to appreciate California’s incredible natural resources.

3. CONTRIBUTIONS To Society

   Home to many world-renowned companies, industries, and institutions, such as Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and top universities – CALIFORNIA Day is an opportunity to recognize the state’s contributions to society and innovation.

4. COMMUNITY & Identity

   For many people, California is more than just a place to live – it’s a community whereby they identify with. And CALIFORNIA Day is a chance to come together and celebrate what makes the state and its people unique.

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