California History Timeline

  • San Diego de Alcala mission

    Mission San Diego de Alcala is founded (this is significant because it was the first mission built)
  • Period: to

    **Spanish Colonial Period**

    This period signifies the establishment of the missions
  • San Gabriel

    San Gabriel mission is built (this is significant because soldiers went out and invaded local Tongva villages where STD's were starting to spread, and connects to many revolts later on).
  • San Antonito de Padua

    San Antonio de Padua mission was built
  • Establishment of the Presidio

    Spanish army officer Jose Francisco Ortega (as well as 7 officers, 34 soldiers, and Indian attendants) establish the Presidio in Santa Barbara, the Frontier military outpost (this is significant because it was established explicitly to facilitate the establishment of future missions).
  • Indian Revolt

    After the invading of the Tongva villages, the Indian revolt began where 6 to 8 Tongva villages join; however, the Spanish counterattacked.
  • Mission Santa Barbara

    The construction of Mission Santa Barbara begins (this is significant because it forced indigenous people, including those very young, women, and younger couples, to convert to the missionary lifestyle).
  • Mexico Independence

    Mexico gains independence from Spain (this is significant because this was a decade-long struggle)
  • Period: to

    **Mexican Period**

    This period signifies the Mexican rule over California after Mexico gains independence from Spain.
  • Emancipation Process

    Mexican colonial official Agustin Fernandez travels throughout California advertising to al Mission Indians that they would be emancipated.
  • Indian War

    The Chumash tribe start their revolt leading to the Indian War against the missions (only a few hundrend Chumash people remain in Yokut territory),
  • Estanislao Revolt

    This is the start of another revolt, the Estanislao revolt (this is important because it is one of the most significant organized revolts).
  • Secularization Act

    All neophyte families were to get mission lands, this was not very successful; however, most of the land did go to the Californios through land grants (this is significant because it leads to the selling of cattle).
  • The start of secularization

    California missions begin the secularization process.
  • Cattle Hides

    During this year, cattle hides were formed and there were a total of roughly 1 million free-ranging cattle in California.
  • Mexican-American War

  • Land Grants

    Almost 10 million acres of Spanish and Mexican land grants were given to rancheros in California.
  • Phase 2 of Gold Rush

    During phase 2 of the Gold Rush, miners from all over the world come to California to mine for gold. (the start of population growth).
  • Discovering Gold

    James Marshall discovers a gold nugget in the American river in Coloma (this is significant because it connects to the massive population growth in California).
  • Phase 1 of Gold Rush

    During phase 1 of the Gold Rush, local Californians begin searching for gold for the chance of fortune.
  • Period: to

    **Gold Rush**

    This period mentions the three phases of the Gold Rush.
  • Phase 3 of Gold Rush

    During phase 3 of the Gold Rush, about 300,000 miners from China, Latin America, and other nations come to California.
  • California becomes a State

    California becomes the 31st state ( this is significant because the phases of the Gold Rush and the overpopulation of this area lead California to become a state). Due to the Gold Rush, there is a new term of "49ers".
  • First Massacre

    The Bloody Island massacre at Clear Lake. The U.S. army forcefully ordered the massacre of native people creating violence.
  • Period: to

    **Gold and Genocide Period**

    This period involves the massacres against the natives.
  • Shasta Massacre

    The Shasta Massacre killed the Wintu people, targeting yet again the people of native tribes.
  • Bridge Gulch Massacre

  • Paiute War

    The Paiute War was a long-term fight and conflict between the Natives and the Whites.
  • Sand Creek Massacre

    Pastor John Chivington massacred Indians in Southeastern Colorado because the Indians opposed a signing of a land grant agreement (this is significant because it is considered the most notorious massacre of the Native Americans, and becomes known as the Sand Creek Massacre).
  • Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

    The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited the immigration of all Chinese laborers. This was essentially a 10-year ban of Chinese immigration. It was passed by Congress and signed by President Chester A. Arthur. (there is going to be a connection with this 10 year ban and future Chinese Exclusion Acts).
  • Period: to

    **Chinese Exclusion Act**

    This Act was to prevent Chinese laborers from immigrating to California taking away many rights of the Chinese.
  • Period: to

    **Progressive Period**

    Progressives are often people who wanted to push the Chinese race out of California. Many of them are behind the Chinese Exclusion Act and are large members of the Republican Party.
  • Chinese Exclusion Act of 1892

    The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 expires; however, Congress extends it for another 10 years establishing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1892. (there is going to be a connection with this 10 year ban and the next updated Chinese Exclusion Act).
  • Chinese Exclusion Act of 1902

    The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1892 expires; however, Congress made this Act permanent, establishing the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1902 were there were more restrictions and Chinese residents were required to obtain a Certificate of residence.
  • Construction of Break Water

    The first part of this construction was furnished in 1907. This is also called "America's Port" (this is significant because it is the busiest harbor in the entire country and is also a key event for progressives).
  • San Francisco Earthquake

    The San Francisco earthquake destroyed many properties and also caused fires (this connects to the construction of the harbor because this earthquake caused the pipes to burst, destroying much of the build).
  • Progressives and Political Reform

    Progressive republicans capture political reform in the government with Hiram Johnson. This forms the Good Government Leagues all over California (this is significant because many campaigns and special elections began for the goal of passing amendments and movements that will later be revealed).
  • Women's Right to Vote

    The 18th Amendment is passed where women receive the rights to vote (this is significant because California became the 6th state to give women the right to vote).
  • Alien Land Act

    The Alien Land Act prevented "aliens" of 21 years or older from being eligible to gain citizenship from owning land (This law essentially targeted Asian immigrants); therefore, Asian immigrants would register land under their children's names. This is another event that reveals discrimination toward Asian descents.
  • World War I

    The United States declares war against Germany.
  • Child Labor Ban

    Progressives passed a child labor ban. This law prohibited children under 14 years of age from working outside of their home. (I think it is extremely shameful that Progressives were so determined to discriminate Asian immigrants).
  • Second Alien Land Act

    The Second Alien Land Act passed preventing children from owning land and preventing "aliens" from citizenship.
  • The Immigration Act of 1924

    The Immigration Act of 1924 is passed limiting the number of immigrants of each nationality to come to the United States; however, nationalities of Asian descent were not included. (this signifies the racial discrimination toward Asian descents).
  • Attacking Japanese Americans

    The office of Naval Intelligence began collecting lists of potentially disloyal Japanese Americans with no proof and evidence of what they have committed (California continues to discriminate against Asian descents).
  • Period: to

    **World War II**

    This war offered many opportunities as well as challenges to California.
  • Labor Shortage

    During World War II, there were extreme labor shortages and will continue to intensify.
  • Executive Order 8802

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt issues executive order 8802 that bans racial discrimination in war employment (this is ironic because there was still discrimination in the military).
  • War Production Board

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes War Production Boards in regards to World War II.
  • War Manpower Commission

    The War Manpower Commission was established. This manages industrial, military, and farm labor needs and had the power to keep workers in essential jobs.
  • Mexican Farm Labor Agreement

    The United States and Mexico sign the Mexican Farm Labor Agreement where Mexican citizens are brought to California to do agricultural and Railroad jobs (This is an Emergency order due to the connection of labor shortages).
  • Executive Order 9066

    The executive order 9066 calls for the removal of all people of Japanese descent from the Special Military Exclusion Zone on the West Coast (this proves that there is still discrimination in the military).
  • The Immigration Act of 1943

    Congress repealed all exclusion acts. This is mainly because China was a member of the Allied Nations during World War II. Now, people of Asian descent were included as a nationality allowed to immigrate to the United States.
  • Zoot Suit Riot

    White sailors would invade Downtown Los Angeles and attack young Mexican American men, the "Zoot Suitors", who wear clothes outside of the norm (White supremist assert their power over young men).
  • Port Chicago Disaster

    Ships loaded with fuel and ammunition caused a series of explosions to occur (mostly African American men were killed or injured).
  • Port Chicago Mutiny

    Only after a month of the Port Chicago disaster, sailors were demanded to return to work; however, African American sailors refuse to return to work because of all the danger that this site holds. These workers were therefore arrested and convicted of mutiny.
  • The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1945

    The Immigration Act of 1945 gave equal limit rights of all Nationalities to immigrate to the United States.
  • Lakewood Homes

    The city of Lakewood is founded and the construction of park homes begins. (this is significant as the population in suburban areas increase rapidly).
  • Period: to

    **Modern-Day California**

    This period shows what California is today. From the past events, riots, and many more, we can conclude that these are what shaped California today.
  • Donohoe Act

    The Donohoe Act creates a Master Plan for higher education in California. It provides higher education with clearly defined functions. (This is significant as education still practices this in schools today).
  • Gay Rights Movement Attempt

    This Gay Rights Movement was located at the California Hall in San Francisco to raise funds for the council on religion and harassment (this is a significant event as this is the start of gay rights, but the case was dismissed revealing inequality and harassment towards citizens).
  • BART: Engineering Marvel and People Mover

    The BART: Engineering Marvel and People Mover service opens. This service connects suburbs of the Bay Area to Oakland and San Francisco, with airport extensions as well (this is significant for the purpose of alleviating freeway traffic).
  • Rodney King Riot

    Police officers attacked Rodney King in Los Angeles. This caused a riot and sparks the racial flaws in California.
  • Nation's Largest Population

    Los Angeles becomes the nation's largest county in population (this emphasizes the significance in population growth over the years, decades, and centuries).
  • Barack Obama

    Barack Obama becomes the first African American President (this is extremely significant as a big change occurred over the years, from facing discrimination to becoming the first African American president).
  • Stock Market Crash

    The stock market crash is significant because it is the largest financial crisis.
  • Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

    President Barack Obama signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that guarantees fair pay regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability. (this signifies the equality in California).
  • COVID-19

    The Corona Virus, later called COVID-19 is the start of a major pandemic killing over a million people nationwide (this is significant because the nation still struggles with this virus today).
  • COVID-19 Quarantine

    President Donald Trump declares COVID-19 as a national emergency. This novel virus leads to the creation of a travel ban and stay-at-home order (this is significant because these orders are still encouraged today to decrease the spread of the virus. People are also still dying today).