California State Flag
Often called the “Bear flag”, the California flag was raised at Sonoma on June 14, 1846, by a group of American settlers in revolt against Mexican rule. The flag was designed by William Todd on a piece of new unbleached cotton. The star imitated the lone star of Texas. A grizzly bear represented the many bears seen in the state. The word, “California Republic” was placed beneath the star and bear. In 1911, Governor Hiram Johnson made the “Bear Flag” the official state flag.
