What year did California become a state?

California became a state in 1850, following the Gold Rush that began in 1848. The rapid influx of settlers and the urgent need for governance and infrastructure led California's leaders to seek statehood. This effort culminated in California's admission to the Union as the 31st state on September 9, 1850.

The significance of this year lies in the context of the era's socio-political landscape. California's statehood was part of the greater compromise regarding the expansion of slavery into the new territories gained from the Mexican-American War. The Compromise of 1850 was crucial in admitting California as a free state, which was a pivotal moment leading to the complex debates around slavery and state rights in the following years.

Understanding California's admission in 1850 also highlights the state's unique path to statehood, which was characterized by demographic shifts and economic transformations that set the stage for its future growth and development.