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California History brings to light the various influences that form California land and people.The rich and varied past of the state was influenced by a number of stages in the history of California. The different phases of the history of California offer an exciting journey through the past.

The native settlers of California arrived from Asia crossing the Bering Strait.

They lived peacefully in California from the Stone Age till the arrival of outside European powers. The name California was adopted from a book of knightly romance and chivalry published in the year 1510.

The first European power to make a mark in California history were the Spanish. The Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, arrived on the San Diego Bay in California in 1542. The two ships under the command of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo reached the coast of California and claimed the land as a Spanish colony. The Russians also occupied certain regions of California as their own.

The most formidable power to set foot in California was the English who arrived with the explorer, Sir Francis Drake in 1579and California was declared as an English colony. The Spanish settlers tried to establish their power by occupying more California land and converting the natives. The power struggle in the history of California achieved another dimension with the inclusion of the state of Mexico claiming California as a part of their territory.

California remained a part of Mexico till the Mexican-American War. Taking the opportunity, the people of California declared their independence . The independence was very short as California was amalgamated with the United States of America. The Gold Rush of 1848 was another significant episode in the history of California.

California achieved statehood on September 9, 1850. The state of California was not directly involved with the American Civil War. California history has since progressed towards development and has emerged as one of the important states of USA.