CA History By VelazquezFam5 1769 La Brea Tar Pits discovered 1769 San Diego de Alcala (1st mission) Period: 1769 to 1782 Years of the Sacred Expedition 1821 Mexican independence from Spain 1823 San Francisco Solano (last mission) 1834 Year the missions closed 1835 Year the Nicoleno Indians left San Nicolas Island Jun 14, 1846 Day of Bear Flag Revolt 1848 Year Mexico lost California 1850 Year California Became a state 1853 Year Karana was rescued Period: 1860 to 1861 Years of Pony Express May 10, 1869 Date Transcontinental Railroad completed Jul 12, 1894 Pigeon Express dates 1894 - 1898