History 473: Timeline

  • 1542

    Juan Cabrillo sails up California coast

    Juan Cabrillo, European explorer, explores new land in California as well as surrounding islands.
  • Period: 1542 to

    European Exploration Period

    The Europeans explore and discover new land which will later be known as California.
  • 1551

    Debate at Valladolid

    Discussion with European explorers on the treatment of indigenous people colonized by the Europeans.
  • 1577

    Sir Frances Drake and the Spanish Sling

    Queen Elizabeth orders Sir Frances Drake to go see the Spanish Sling at the Great Lakes.
  • 1579

    Sir Frances Drake arrives at Point Reyes

    Another European explorer places his boat on present-day Point Reyes, CA.
  • Sebastian Vizacanio Discovers the Presidio

    The presidio is now a commonly known park in Northern California.
  • Colegio de San Fernando in New Spain

    School where priests learn to work among and with indigenous people is founded.
  • Period: to

    Spanish Period

    The Spanish colonize California.
  • Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded

    Father Junipero Serra discovers and builds the first mission in California.
  • Mission San Carlos built

    The second mission to be built in California.
  • Mission San Antonio built

    The third mission to be built in California.
  • Mission San Gabriel built

    The fourth mission to be built in California.
  • Mission San Luis Obsipo built

    The California missions were religious outposts in California.
  • Attack at Mission San Diego

    The Kumeyaay people were attacked at Mission San Diego de Alcala. This highlights the mistreatment of the native people by the Spanish.
  • Mission San Juan Capistrano built

    This mission is established and founded by Junipero Serra.
  • Mission Santa Clara built

    One of the missions in Northern California built.
  • Prohibitions Against Mourning Dance at Mission San Gabriel

    Natives are allowed, once again, to practice their important ritual dances.
  • Officer Jose Francisco Ortega establishes Presidio

    Jose Francisco Ortega establishes presidio in Santa Barbara.
  • Mission San Buenaventura built

    Father Junipero Serra finds and builds this new mission in San Buenaventura.
  • Indian Revolt at San Gabriel

    Natives are tired of the mistreatment of the Spanish and fight back in a revolt
  • Mission Santa Barbara built

    Spanish Mission founded in Santa Barbara, CA by Fermin Lausen
  • Mission San Farncisco built

    One of the many missions in Northern California built.
  • Northwest Ordinance: Government Established

    The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 establishes a government for the Northern Territory.
  • Northwest Ordinance: How Territories Become States

    In 1789, the Northwest Ordinance provides an outline for admitting new states into the Union.
  • Fermin Lausen dies

    Spanish missionary who helped build some of the many missions in California passes away.
  • Measles Epidemic

    At Mission San Gabriel, a measles outbreak occurs which harms and affects the Indian population.
  • Mexican Independence

    Mexico gains independence from Spain, making it its own entity.
  • Period: to

    Mexican Period

    Mexico begins to colonize California.
  • Mexico Codifies Land Grant Process

    Mexico creates a code describing how people are granted land in California.
  • Chumash Revolt

    Chumash uprise against Mexican and Spanish ruling and mistreatment.
  • Chumash revolt ends

    The Chumash did not return to the mission. Period of change in which Natives stand up against to Mexican and Spanish ruling.
  • Estanisloa’s War

    Estanisola educated the Natives in the art of battle. He helped them uprise against Spanish and Mexican rule.
  • California Missions begin Secularization Process

    The secularization process beings in effort to return the land to native people.
  • Sonorans Capture Los Angeles

    Sonora, a part of Mexico, captures Los Angeles and tries to take over the government.
  • Neophytes return to Villages

    Neophytes, a word used to refer to the Indians who were converted by the Spanish at missions, were returned to their villages after being held at various missions.
  • John C. Fremont is banned from California

    Mexican government bans John C. Fremont from California as he was seen as a threat.
  • Mexican American War

    The war between Mexico and the United States that started over land distributions,
  • Bear Flag Revolt

    A short rebellion of people in California against Mexican authority. John C. Fremont was a a notable participant in this revolt for independence.
  • Treaty of Cahuega

    The Treaty of Cahuega is signed and ends the Mexican American War specifically in Alta California.
  • Treaty of Guadalupe de Hidalgo

    The Treaty of Guadalupe de Hidalgo ends the Mexican American War giving the US ownership of California as well as the Rio Grande.
  • Period: to

    Gold Rush Period

    The Gold Rush brings in new people to California as well as the building of new railroads within the state.
  • Clear Lake Massacre

    The slaughter of the Pomo that highlighted the mistreatment the U.S. government allowed against Native Americans.
  • Gold Rush Begins

    Gold is found in California, sparking hundreds to the state in search of hold and hopes of prosperity.
  • California Gains Statehood

    California is admitted into the Union as a free state.
  • John C. Fremont becomes California Senate

    John C. Fremont was the first California Senate.
  • California Land Act

    This act applies the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to California as a state.
  • People vs Hall Court Case

    The ruling of People vs. Hall stated that Chinese immigrants and Americans were unable to testify against white people.
  • Beginning of Construction of CPR

    The Central Pacific Railroad, a railroad that would begin in Sacramento and would travel through the western part of the country, began its construction.
  • Pacific Railroad Act

    An act that put forth the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad that would connect the western and eastern part of the country.
  • Pacific Railroad Act (2)

    The second part of the act that was put in place which provided federal funding to the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
  • Transcontinental Railroad Opens

    The opening of the railroad marked a turning point for California, as it would so bring many opportunities for social, political, and economic success.
  • Los Angeles Massacre

    This massacre highlighted the racist views against Chinese Americans and immigrants in California, as hundreds of white people killed and harmed Chinese residents in Chinatown located in Los Angeles.
  • Mining Act

    Government allows the mining of resources. Resources that were mined for were economic minerals, which resulted on an impact to the environment.
  • The Page Act is Passed

    This act prohibited Chinese women from entering the country. It was among the first federal exclusive acts against a particular race group.
  • Sandlot Riots

    These riots occurred in San Francisco where some of the white population violently attacked Chinese immigrants who occupied the city.
  • Chinese Exclusion Act

    An act passed by Congress which banned Chinese people from immigrating into the country. It was an act that highlights the racist views of the country at the time.
  • Massacre at Wounded Knee

    Another massacre between the indigenous people and the U.S government. United States soldiers murdered hundreds of Lakota people.
  • Free Harbor Fight Begins

    The Free Harbor Fight sparked between Los Angeles and Southern Pacific. Southern Pacific had control over the harbor facilities, while Los Angeles wanted free from their control.
  • Period: to

    Progressive Era

    This era marked social and political reform.
  • Asiatic Exclusion League Established

    A xenophobic league established to prevent the immigration of Asian people in the U.S.
  • Free Harbor Fight Ends

    Stephen White wins the fight with a filibuster!
  • Gentlemens Act Established

    The Gentlemens Act tried to limit the immigration of Japenese people into the U.S.
  • First Alien Land Act

    Land act established in California that prohibited "Aliens" from owning agricultural land.
  • The Raker Act

    Named after John Raker, the Rake Act permitted the building of O'Shaughnessy Dam.
  • The Home Teacher Act

    Through the Home Teacher Act, teachers went to homes and try to Americanize the wives, by teaching them. how to be an American housewife.
  • 18th Amendment

    The 18th amendment was passed prohibiting alcohol.
  • The Revenue Act

    A tax that was placed on companies who employed children in particular industries. This tax was ten percent of the profits of the companies.
  • 19th Amendment

    This amendment paved the way for women to vote.It stated that no person shall be denied by voting on the basis of sex.
  • Immigration Act

    This act placed a limit on the number of immigrants who can enter the U.S.
  • Period: to

    The Great Depression

    Time period where the U.S., as well as the rest of the world, faced economic hardships.
  • Office of Naval Intelligence and Japanese Americans

    During this time, the Office of Naval Intelligence begins collecting lists of potential disloyal Japanese Americans.
  • World War II begins

    Global war involving over thirty countries including the U.S.
  • Equal Opportunity 8802

    Franklin D. Roosevelt enacts the Equal Opportunity 8802 Act that banned racial discrimination in war employment.
  • Mexican Farm Labor Agreement

    The United States and Mexico both sign the Mexican Farm Labor Agreement that helped lead to the unionization of farm workers.
  • War Production Boards

    Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes the War Production Boards which supervised war production.
  • Executive Order 9066

    Franklin D. Roosevelt enacts Executive Order 9066 which allowed the evacuation of people who are deemed a national threat.
  • War Manpower Commission

    This commission was established to help figure out the labor between agriculture, industry, and armed forces sectors.
  • Chinese Exclusion Act Repealed

    The repealing of the Chinese Exclusion Act allowed Chinese laborers who sought out immigration to the U.S. to do so.
  • Zoot Suit Riots

    These riots highlighted the racist views some had against Mexican Americans.
  • Port Chicago Disaster

    A ship load with ammunition explodes causing over 300 people to pass away.
  • Burns-Porter Act

    The act helped finance water distribution centers in California.
  • Fair Employment Practices Act

    This act creates rights for employees where employers cannot discriminate against workers.
  • Unruh Civil Rights Act:

    Businesses cannot discriminate against sex, race, ethnicity, color, religion, etc.
  • Period: to

    Modern-day Era

    This era, although dating back to over 50 years ago, involves new acts and events that all shaped what California is today.
  • Donohoe Act:

    This act creates a three-tiered Master plan for education in CA that is still used today.
  • State Water Project

    This project helped improve California’s water infrastructure.
  • Rumford Housing Act

    This act puts an end to racial discrimination by landlords and property owners.
  • Butte County Camp Fire

    This wildfire that sparked in Butte County located in Northern California was the deadliest fire in California history.