California turns 175: Here's some interesting things about the Golden State

"On June 14, 1846, rebellious settlers marched on the Mexican garrison at Sonoma. They declared California to be a republic independent of Mexico. This became known as the Bear Flag Revolt, named for the hastily designed flag depicting a grizzly and a five-point star over a red bar and the words California Republic. The flag only flew until July 9, 1846, when it was learned that Mexico and the United States were already at war. It was adopted as the state flag in 1911."

"California has 28 National Park Service sites that get an estimated 40 million visitors each year. The California Department of Parks and Recreation manages 280 parks. California has the tallest trees (coast redwoods), the biggest trees (giant sequoias) and the oldest trees (bristlecone pines) in the world. If you think 175 years is a long time, some bristlecone pines are thought to be almost 5,000 years old."

"Wise choices: We have a Roman goddess on our state seal, Minerva, who symbolized wisdom and war. When the state seal was created in 1950, the designers noted that just as myth tells us Minerva sprang full-grown from the head of Jupiter, California became a state without having to go through a territorial stage. In 1849, leaders from around the future state met in Monterey to draft the first constitution."

California was admitted as the 31st state on Sept. 9, 1850. The Bear Flag Revolt began June 14, 1846, when settlers seized the Mexican garrison at Sonoma and declared a California Republic; the hastily designed Bear Flag was adopted as the state flag in 1911. San Jose served briefly as the first capital before Sacramento was chosen. Blue and gold became official state colors in 1951. California contains 28 National Park Service sites receiving about 40 million visitors annually and 280 state parks. The state hosts coast redwoods, giant sequoias, and ancient bristlecone pines. The state seal features Minerva, symbolizing immediate statehood without a territorial phase.

Read at www.ocregister.com