1. In 1846, the "Bear Flag Revolt" began in Sonoma, California. A group of American settlers led by William B. Ide declared California an independent republic, hoisted a makeshift flag with a bear and star, and captured General Mariano Vallejo, a prominent Mexican official.

2. In 1917, the deadliest explosion in California history occurred in the port of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The SS Mont-Blanc, a French ship loaded with explosives, collided with the SS Imo, a Norwegian ship, causing a blast that killed over 2,000 people and injured thousands more. The explosion was felt as far away as San Francisco, where windows rattled and people thought it was an earthquake.

3. In 1953, Hugh Hefner published the first issue of Playboy magazine, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover. The magazine, which became known for its provocative photos of nude women, was based in Chicago but had a significant presence in California, where Hefner lived and worked.

4. In 1972, the Golden State Warriors played their first game at the Oakland Coliseum Arena. The Warriors, who had previously played in San Francisco, moved across the bay to Oakland and eventually became one of the most successful NBA franchises in history, winning three championships in the 1970s and another in 2015.

5. In 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The impeachment process, which lasted for several months and captured the attention of the nation, ultimately ended in Clinton's acquittal by the Senate.