1533 California first explored by Spanish.
1769 A mission was established at San Diego.
1776 A mission was established in San Francisco.
1797 The first church was built at San Juan Capistrano.
1814 John Gilroy jumped ship and became the first non spanish settlers.
1824 Jedediah Smith arrived in California after leading the first overland expedition to California.
1836 California declared its independence from Mexico.
1841 The first wagon train of settlers arrived via the Oregon Trial.
1846 As part of the Mexican American War Commodore D Sloat raised the American flag in Monterry and claimed California for the United States.
1847 Spanish troops surrendered.
1848 Gold was discovered at Sutters Mill setting off the California Gold Rush.
1850 California is admitted to the Union.
1860 The Pony Express begins delivery of mail to California from St Joseph Missouri.
1868 Completion of the transcontinental railroad in opened the way for rapid transportation to California from the east.
1906 Most of San Francisco was leveled in an earthquake.
1911 The first motion picture studio moved to Hollywood Hills.
1955 Disneyland opened in Anaheim.
1965 Blacks who rioted in the Watts ghetto of Los Angeles, 34 deaths resulted.
1967 Students at UCLA Berkely were at the forefront of the anti war movement.
1968 Robert Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles.
1973 Thomas Bradely became the first Black mayor of LA.