Did you know that the California state flag has a really interesting history? It’s flown over some important happenings in our state’s past, and it’s evolved over time to represent Californians in a way that is truly unique. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the history of our state flag and find out what makes it so special. Come along with us on this journey!
Facts about the California State Flag, the original flag of California
The California state flag is full of history and meaning. I actually found the facts about the California State Flag quite interesting when researching for this article.
The original California flag has its origins in early California history. In 1836 in the coup declaring Alta California’s independence from Mexico, the Lone Star Flag of California, associated with Alvarado’s rebellion, contained a single red star on a white background. Although this revolt did not succeed in independence for California, it inspired the Bear Flag Revolt Flag.
California State Flag Facts – The Original California Grizzly Bear Flag
On June 14, 1846, while California was still under Mexican rule, a group of settlers in Sonoma proclaimed California to be an independent republic. This was later known as the Bear Flag Revolt. The original grizzly bear flag was created by Peter Storm. But it was considered to be vicious, so it was taken down that same day and redesigned. The replacement bear flag was hastily designed in 1846 by William Todd, the uncle of Mary Todd Lincoln.
This flag was raised in Sonoma California in June 1946, by men who became known as the Bear Flaggers. The star imitated the lone star of Texas. A grizzly bear represented the many bears seen in the state. This was the first California bear logo. The stripe represented the American Flag, which was a revolt against the Mexican government. They hastily created a California flag that showed a grizzly bear and a five-pointed star above a red bar. It said “California Republic.”
The First California Flag
The first California flag flew for less than a month. The United States declared war against Mexico on May 11, 1846, but information traveled slowly back then. It took until July 9 for the news to reach the instigators of what came to be known as the Bear Flag Revolt.
Was California a country before it was a state?
After the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846, California existed as an independent nation- only for 25 days. So California was a country before it was a state – for that brief time.
The flag is a legacy of the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. Then, California became a territory occupied by the United States. The flag was replaced with the American Flag. Soon thereafter, California was admitted as the 31st state in the Union. The Bear Flag Revolt led directly to the American acquisition of what is now the state of California.
Our Current California State Flag
In 1911, the state of California flag was again redesigned to its current form and was adopted as the state flag of California. The design was designated as: A single red start in the upper left-hand corner, the bottom of the white flag the words “California Republic” and at the center of the white flag a California grizzly bear upon a grass plat, in the position of walking towards the left. Sometimes referred to as the California Republic Bear.
The California State Bear
According to some accounts, the bear on one 1911 version of the flag is modeled on the last California grizzly bear in captivity. That bear was named Monarch. It was captured in 1889 by newspaper reporter Allan Kelly, at the behest of William Randolph Hearst. That bear was moved to Woodwards Gardens in San Francisco, and after that to the zoo in Golden Gate Park. After the bear’s death in 1911, it was mounted and preserved at the Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park.
Our Current California State Flag
While the flag was adopted in 1911, and until 1953 the versions changed depending upon the manufacturer. Eventually, it was standardized. The current flag was designed in 1953 by Donald Kelley and is based on the flag flown during the Bear Flag Revolt, using a watercolor bear image by charles Nahl. The 1953 law standardized the look of the flag, the image, placement, and California flag colors. This flag is sometimes referred to as the California Republic Flag.
The California State Flag is sometimes called “The Bear Flag” because it features an image of the bear
When researching this, there are many different opinions on why the bear was left as a symbol on the flag. In fact, there are many different versions of the meaning of the flag! Everything from the grizzly being a powerful and strong symbol, to it being a tribute to something. I’m going with the information from the more recognized resources (I hope!).
Symbolism on the California State Flag – the California Flag meaning
- Grizzly Bear: Strength, courage
- Star: Originally made reference to the state of Texas, now represents Sovereignty
- Red: Courage
- White: Purity
California State Symbols
California has a multitude of official state symbols. In addition to the state flag, California also has a state seal. The seal features an image of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. The seal is used on official documents, such as birth certificates and driver’s licenses. California also has a state bird, the quail. The quail is native to the state and can be found in many different parks and forests. Lastly, California has a state flower, the poppy. The poppy is found throughout the state and blooms in springtime. These are just some of the symbols that represent California. There are many others, ranging from the state tree to the state mammal. Each one is unique and helps to create a sense of pride in our state.
The California state flag is a cherished symbol of the Golden State. It’s flown proudly by residents and visitors alike, signifying all that California represents. Though its design has changed over the years, the flag still embodies the spirit of Californians. We hope you found this article on the facts about the California State Flag informative. Have more to add, or see something we missed? Let us know in the comments!
facts from California State Library, history.com, britannica.com and wikipedia.org
