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California was first explored by the Spanish by Hernando Cortes who lead an expedition to La Paz and opened a small colony.
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Francisco de Ulloa explores the Gulf of California
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The Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodiguez Cabrillo, explores California.
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The Eurpoeans bring typhus to California and the epidemic kills hundreds of thousands of natives.
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The great British sailor, Sir Francis Drake, lands north of San Francisco Bay and claims the territory for England but the land is taken by the Spanish
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Gaspar de Portolb, governor of the Californias, led an expedition up the Pacific coast, established California's first mission on San Diego Bay
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The Seven Years War was a war between the French and Native Americans due to disputes over land is won by Great Britain. France gives England all French territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The Spanish give up east and west Florida to the English in return for Cuba.
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The first mission and presidio are built in San Diego.
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1775 - 1783: The American Revolution creates the United States of America. The Revolution was due to the British burden of taxes and total power to legislate any laws governing the American colonies. George Washington led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War (American War of Independence).
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July 4, 1776 - United States Declaration of Independence
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July 10, 1778 - France declares war against Britain and makes an alliance with the American revolutionary forces
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A pueblo is built near the Los Angeles River.
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The RussianAmerican Fur Company builds Fort Ross.
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Mexico becomes free from Spanish control.
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People from the United States begin to Settle in California.
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The United States invades Mexico from the east starting the Mexican-American War won by the US on July 9, 1846
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Gold is found near Sacramento.
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James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's sawmill in Coloma which starts the Gold Rush
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California becomes part of the United States.
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The Pony Express starts carrying mail from Missouri to California
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1861 - 1865: The American Civil War. In 1859 John Brown raided Harpers Ferry and set in motion events that led directly to the outbreak of the Civil War. outbreak of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, a known opponent of slavery, was elected president and in 1861 the South Secedes. The initial Secession of South Carolina was followed by the secession of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. These eleven states eventually formed
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1865 December 6: The Abolishment of Slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S Constitution is ratified, thus officially abolishing slavery
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The surrender of Robert E. Lee on April 9 1865 signalled the end of the Confederacy
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1898 - 1901: The Spanish American War. On December 10, 1898 the Treaty of Paris the US annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines
