What year did the California Gold Rush begin?

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The California Gold Rush began in 1848, which is significant for various reasons. This year marks the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, near Coloma, California, by James Marshall. The news of this discovery spread rapidly, leading to a massive influx of prospectors and settlers from across the United States and around the world seeking fortune in the goldfields. This event dramatically changed California's population dynamics, economy, and ultimately its statehood, as the rapid growth led to California's admission as the 31st state in 1850. The Gold Rush had profound implications not only for California but also for the development of the American West and the country's economy as a whole. The other years listed do not correspond to the significant discovery of gold that catalyzed this historic migration and transformation.

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