Important dates in the history of California?

Key dates in California's history include 1542, when Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo became the first European to set foot on the West Coast; 1848, marking the end of the Mexican-American War and the cession of California to the U.S.; 1849, when the Gold Rush began, attracting thousands to the state; and 1850, when California was admitted as the 31st state of the United States. Other significant events include the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1965 Watts riots, which highlighted social tensions and issues in urban areas.