State
Flag: "The Bear Flag"
On June 14, 1846, a small
band of settlers marched on the Mexican garrison at Sonoma and
took the commandant, Mariano Vallejo, prisoner,
They issued a proclamation which declared California to be a Republic
independent of Mexico. This uprising became known as the Bear Flag
Revolt after the hastily designed flag depicting a grizzly bear and
a five pointed star over a red bar and the words "California
Republic." The grizzly bear was a symbol of great strength while
the lone star made reference to the lone Star of Texas. The flag
only flew until July 9, 1846 when it was learned that Mexico and
the United States were already at war. Soon after, the Bear Flag
was replaced with the American flag. It was adopted as the State
Flag by the State Legislature in 1911.