CALIFORNIA

The precursor of the Flag of California was first flown during the Bear Flag Revolt and known as the "Bear Flag". The original Bear Flag was raised for the first time in Sonoma, California in June 1846 on a date between the 14th and the 17th, by the men who became known as the "Bear Flaggers" led by William B. Ide. California had been under Mexican rule since Mexican independence in 1821 as "Alta California", and under Spanish rule for many years before that.