History of the California State Flag

The Governor of the State of California went to China last week and I thought it would be funny if he moved to make the red star on the CA state flag larger.

Which got me wondering, why is there one on there to begin with?

So, I did a little research...

The California State Flag, often referred to as the "Bear Flag," has an interesting history rooted in the mid-19th century and the California Republic, which was a short-lived, unofficial state that existed for about a month in 1846.

Here is a brief history of the California State Flag:

1. Mexican Rule: Prior to American control, California was part of Mexico. In 1836, a group of American settlers, including William B. Ide, Ezekiel Merritt, and Henry Ford, established the short-lived California Republic in the town of Sonoma during the Bear Flag Revolt. They declared their independence from Mexican rule, and a flag was created to represent their new nation.

2. The Bear Flag: The flag featured a white field with a red stripe along the bottom and a crude representation of a California grizzly bear facing a single red star. The bear symbolized the wildlife of California, and the star represented the desire for California to become a state. Below the bear, the words "California Republic" were inscribed.

3. U.S. Annexation: The Bear Flag Republic was short-lived. On July 9, 1846, American forces under John C. Frémont arrived in California, and the Bear Flag Republic was merged into the United States. The flag was officially lowered, and the U.S. flag was raised.

4. Statehood and Adaptation: When California became a U.S. state in 1850, the original Bear Flag was largely forgotten. In the early 20th century, however, a group of California historians, led by H.K. Fish and William H. Jordan, began advocating for the restoration of the original Bear Flag as the official state flag.

5. Official Adoption: In 1911, the California State Legislature adopted the Bear Flag as the official state flag. The original design was slightly modified to make it symmetrical, removing the words "California Republic." The white field, red stripe, and the grizzly bear and star remained, making it similar to the original Bear Flag.

The California State Flag has remained largely unchanged since then, with minor adjustments to its specifications for precise measurements and color shades. It serves as a symbol of the state's history and the independent spirit of its early settlers. The grizzly bear on the flag is a reminder of California's unique wildlife, even though the California grizzly bear is now extinct.