“There’s only the American Dream and the California dream.”
—Gov. Gavin Newsom
This year marks the 175th anniversary of California’s admission to the U.S. as the 31st state. But statehood wasn’t the beginning of the story. Celebrating California is a collection of 175 stories that highlight California’s unique history and role in the world. The goal is to offer examples of California’s unique character and that of its residents, past and present. That means among the good there will be some bad. For every success story, there’s a failure, a tragedy, an injustice. It’s from these mistakes that we learn and grow stronger together. Share a story with us that helps define what California means to you.
It's February 19, 1915. Top-hatted Mayor James “Sunny Jim” Rolph is at the head of 150,000 San Franciscans as they…
At 11:58 p.m. on March 12, 1928, the worst dam failure in state history unleashes a wall of water between…
To better coordinate state public works efforts, Gov. James Gillett signs legislation on March 11, 1907 creating the Department of…
Los Angeles Biltmore [2001-0022]California State Library The Eighth Annual Academy Awards is held at Los Angeles’ Biltmore Hotel on March…
So says Universalist and Unitarian minister Thomas Starr King on his San Francisco deathbed, March 4, 1864. According to Charles…
In what they themselves describe as a “dingy room at 417 Clay Street,” two teenagers – Charles de Young, 19,…
To better accommodate Pasadena-bound traffic for the Rose Bowl two days later, the state dedicates California’s first “freeway,” the Arroyo…
Woman on Ostrich [2014-4858] California State Library On December 16, 1896, Griffith J. Griffith and his wife Christina give Los…
Autos on Foothill Blvd, Santa Anita, 1916. [Martin-0159] California State Library. On December 13, 1900, the Automobile Club of Southern…
Built to resemble a mission, the first – and only -- Milestone Mo-tel in San Luis Obispo is a new…