The State Flag of California

The land of the great Redwood Forest and the gorgeous Pacific coastline has a rich history of pioneering and rebellion. The state flag was originally raised in defiance, the symbolic Californian grizzly crudely drawn in found paint, but it has persisted for years; in 1911, the bear flag was made California's official state flag.

The California Republic

In 1846, a man by the name of William L. Todd, on a piece of brown cotton, drew the first version of the state flag of California. The grizzly was to represent strength, inspired by the many grizzly bears that roamed the state. "California Republic" was written across the bottom, and the flag was raised in defiance against Mexican rule. The California Republic maintained independence for 25 days, until the US Army claimed the area and replaced the bear flag with the stars and stripes of the United States. The republic was never officially recognized, but the flag lived on.

The official state flag

Unfortunately, the original bear flag was destroyed in a fire following the San Francisco earthquake of 1906; however, in 1911, a flag designed in its honor was adopted into the state legislature. The grizzly was made far more prominent, though to this day, the flag still reads California Republic, in honor of the pioneers who raised it for their independence.

It was a proud day in 1846 when pioneers sought their independence. The spirit of adventure still runs through the state, passed down from the early explorers to their children. The flag represents the spirit of California and its people.