In 2017, National Day Calendar® began celebrating each state in the order they entered the union starting the week of Independence Day and ending with Hawaii. We highlight a small part of each states’ history, foods and the people who make up the state. Many states have their own state celebrations, and National Day Calendar’s observances in no way replace them. There’s so much more to explore, we can’t help but celebrate our beautiful country even more!
NATIONAL CALIFORNIA DAY
On February 22, National California Day recognizes the Golden State.
For more than a century, Spanish missionaries settled in California. Manifest Destiny and the Mexican American War would play a pivotal role in making California a U.S. Territory. Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico sold California along with its territories north of the Rio Grande for 15 million dollars.
Only days before the treaty was signed, gold was found at Sutter’s Mill in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The gold rush of 1849 would set off an era of settlement unlike any a new territory had ever seen. Two years later, California became the 31st state.
While many think of sunny beaches and orange groves, California has a diverse climate. Each region boasts an opportunity for seasonal outdoor adventures. Whether surfing or downhill skiing is on the agenda, it’s sure to be found. If hiking among giant redwoods or touring historic missions is more to your liking, you’ll discover it here.
Of course, we can’t overlook Northern California’s wine country. Beautiful road trips and wine tastings along the magnificent Napa Valley or Sonoma County are a must for wine lovers.
Swimmin’ pools and movie stars, Califonia has those in large numbers. While moving pictures weren’t born in California, Hollywood sure made them flourish. By the turn of the 20th century, Hollywood built a foundation of movie studios that continued to grow and many of which still exist today.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCaliforniaDay
Take a tour of California and find something new to discover! Join National Day Calendar as we explore the 31st state’s history, people, and culture. Uncover hide-a-ways, mysteries and incredible landscapes. Use #NationalCaliforniaDay to share on social media.
For a complete list of California State and National Parks & Historic Sites visit www.parks.ca.gov and www.nps.gov. Check out a few of the featured sites around the state below. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve – Lancaster Red Rock Canyon State Park – Cantil Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve – Guerneville California Citrus State Historic Park – Riverside California Indian Heritage Center – Sacramento Clear Lake State Park – Kelseyville Emerald Bay State Park – South Lake Tahoe Fort Tejon State Historic Park – Lebec Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park – Pine Grove Pigeon Point Light Station – Pescadero Death Valley Sequoia and Kings Canyon Yosemite – Sierra Nevada Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front – Richmond La Brea Tar Pits – Los Angeles Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles Exploratorium – San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay – San Francisco Alcatraz Island – San Francisco Sutters Fort – Sacramento Depot Park Museum – Sonoma Computer History Museum – Mountain View
Heart Rock Falls – Crestline Forestiere Underground Gardens – Fresno Glass Beach – Fort Bragg The Last Bookstore – Los Angeles Civic Musical Road – Lancaster
William Randolph Hearst - Publisher - (April 29, 1863 - August 14, 1951)
Known for heading up the rivalry between two New York papers that created yellow journalism, William Randolph Hearst’s drive for sensational headlines carried beyond the ink. He also owned newsreel and movie production companies. Much to Hearst’s displeasure, in 1941, Orson Welles released Citizen Kane, a fictionalized biography of Hearst life.
Julia Morgan - Architect - ( January 20, 1872 - February 2, 1957)
California’s first licensed woman architect, Julia Morgan designed numerous homes and commercial buildings throughout the state and the U.S. One of her most notable designs is La Case Grande for William Randolph Hearst.
Robert Frost - Poet - (March 26, 1874 - January 29, 1963)
The poetry of Robert Frost illustrates life through the voice of a New Englander. In his lifetime, Frost earned the Pulitzer Prize in poetry four times. His poems and style fall easily into the realm of 19th-century poets like Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman.
Jack London - Author - (January 12, 1876 - November 22, 1916)
Author and journalist, Jack London published numerous novels. His wilderness adventures brought to life vivid characters that were immensely popular. London’s most noted works are Call of the Wild and White Fang.
George Patton - Army Officer - (November 11, 1885 - December 21, 1945)
Throughout his military career, George Patton’s acted with calculated abandon often earning an injury as a result. During World War II, the already distinguished officer led U.S. forces across France.
Alice Stebbin Wells - Police Officer - (June 13, 1873 - August 17, 1957)
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Dorothy Arzner - Director - (January 3, 1897 - October 1, 1979)
Dorothy Arzner was one of the first woman film directors. During the early age of movies, Arzner began her career editing both silent and sound flicks.
Ansel Adams - Photographer - (February 20, 1902 - April 22, 1984)
Noted for his sweeping landscape photography, Ansel Adams’ ability to capture the essence of a wilderness brought with it a creative drive. One of his biggest supporters, The Sierra Club, published his earliest photographs, launching Adams’ into the public eye.
John Steinbeck - Author - (February 27, 1902 - December 20, 1968)
Author of numerous short stories and novels, John Steinbeck earned the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962. Steinbeck’s ability to weave humor and serious social topics into his writing brought a sense of humanity to his characters. Novels like Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath (1939), and East of Eden found enormous acceptance.
Helen Wills Moody Roark - Tennis player - (October 6, 1905 - January 1, 1998)
During the 1920s and 30s, Helen Wills dominated the tennis court. Her unnerving focus and stoic demeanor carried both on and off the court. Wills’ polar opposite, Helen Hull Jacobs, provided just enough competition to keep the game interesting. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1959.
Ernest Gallo - Businessman - (March 18, 1909 - March 6, 2007)
Along with his brother Julio, Ernest Gallo started a winery in 1933. From Modesto, California, they created a brand that dominated the inexpensive wine market. Gallo gained a reputation as a savvy businessman with marketing know-how. Over the years, Gallo eventually branched into more fine wines.
Julia Child - Chef - (August 15, 1912 - August 13, 2004)
As an inspirational television chef, Julia Child made French cuisine accessible to millions of American home cooks. She published several cookbooks and presented her recipes on television for several decades.
Richard Nixon - President - (January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994)
Richard Nixon served as the 37th president of the United States. He resigned in 1974 to avoid impeachment after the Watergate Scandal brought light illegal activities. Nixon is the only president to resign from office.
Iva Toguri - Radio Broadcaster - (July 4, 1916 - September 26, 2006)
Iva Toguri had the misfortune to be stranded in Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As a result, the Japanese used her to promote propaganda on the radio to the American military. She became known as Tokyo Rose. Later arrested for treason, it would take nearly 30 years to receive a presidential pardon.
Etta James - Singer - (January 25, 1938 - January 20, 2012)
Etta James’ long soulful blues career is marked by ups and downs. Always able to recover with her powerfully rich voice and immense talent, James continued to persevere. She was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame.
George Lucas - Filmmaker - (May 14, 1944)
Best known for being a filmmaker before his time, George Lucas created the Star Wars franchise when much of the technology didn’t exist to produce it. Lucas continues to push the boundaries of filmmaking with magical finesse.
Sally Ride - Astronaut - (May 26, 1951 -July 23, 2012)
In June 1983, Sally Ride became the first woman in space. Aboard the space shuttle Challenger, Ride completed a week-long mission launching communication satellites. She later would become a champion of science education.
Steve Jobs - Businessman - (February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011)
Co-founder of Apple Computer with Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs helped to revolutionize an industry and thrust it into an age that had only been imagined before.
Octavia E. Butler - Author - (June 22, 1947 - February 24, 2006)
Octavia Butler is best known for the novel Kindred, also published the Patternist series of science fiction novels. She brought human issues to her storytelling and opened the door for other black women writers to pursue science fiction.
There are over 1,500 national days. Don’t miss a single one. Celebrate Every Day® with National Day Calendar®!
