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On this day – California became our 31st State
September 9, 2022
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 9 of September, repeating indefinitely
On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union as our 31st state. It is the largest state by population and the third largest state by area.
Did you know? California is home to both the highest point in the continental U.S. (Mount Whitney) as well as the lowest point in the U.S. (Death Valley). Shockingly, the two points are less than 100 miles apart.
California is also one of the only states to rest on two major tectonic plates, which means residents experience more earthquakes than any other state aside from Alaska.
What’s in a name? “California” comes from a Spanish romance novel from the 1500s. California, an island in the story, is described as an earthly paradise. When Spaniards first landed in Baja California, they initially believed it was an island and used the name to describe the area.
Sunset on Mount Diablo (Marin Sunset), William Keith, 1877
