The name California originates from the Spanish conquistadors, after Califia, a mythical island paradise described in Las Serges de Esplandian by Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo (a Spanish romance written about 1510). All State Name Origins
Baja California (lower California, which is now in Mexico) was first visited by the Spanish in 1533. What is now the state of California was called Alta California (upper California).
California's state motto is "Eureka!" (made official in 1963). All State Mottos
California designated gold as the official state mineral in 1965. All State Minerals
The gold rush that followed the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848 is an integral part of the history and culture of California. California's population exploded from 14,000 to 250,000 people in just four years after gold was discovered (prospectors are still panning for gold in California's streams).
The California Military Museum and Resource Center was designated the official military museum of the state in 2004. All State Museums
The museum is a repository for military artifacts and preserves California's military history. In addition to the Sacramento location, there are auxiliary museums at Camp Roberts in Monterey County, Camp San Luis Obispo, Fresno Air National Guard Base, Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in Orange County, and San Diego National Guard Armory.
California designated the endangered California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) as the official state marine mammal in 1975. All State Mammals - All Aquatic-Life Symbols
California designated garibaldi as the official state marine fish in 1995 (California recognizes golden trout as the state freshwater fish, adopted in 1947). All State Fish
California designated the California dogface butterfly (Zerene eurydice) as the official state insect in 1972. All State Insects
The California dogface butterfly, also called "dog-head butterfly," is found only in California. The male has markings on its wings resembling a silhouette of a dog's head. The female is usually solid yellow with a black spot on each upper wing.
Designed by William Todd (nephew of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln), the historic bear flag was raised at Sonoma, California in 1846 by American settlers in revolt against Mexican rule (officially adopted as the state flag of California in 1911). All State Flags
The California golden trout (Salmo agua-bonita) was designated the official state fish of California in 1947. California also adopted a marine fish as a state symbol in 1995. All State Fish
California designated West Coast Swing as the official state dance in 1988 (California also recognizes an official state folk dance). All State Dances