1. On July 2, 1849, California was officially classified as a state within the United States. The state had been under military control since the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, and it was not until the adoption of the state constitution that California became a state.
2. The San Francisco Mint began producing coins on July 2, 1854. The mint was a response to the influx of gold during the California Gold Rush, and it remained in operation until 1937.
3. On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This landmark legislation had a significant impact on California's diverse population and helped to eliminate discrimination in housing, education, and employment.
4. July 2, 1994, marked the opening of California Adventure, a theme park that celebrates the history and culture of California. Located adjacent to Disneyland in Anaheim, the park features attractions such as the Golden State Theater and Cars Land, which is inspired by the Cars movies.
5. In 2005, the city of San Francisco made headlines when it became the first major city in the country to ban the sale of all fireworks, including those considered "safe and sane." The ban, which went into effect on July 2, was in response to concerns about the risk of wildfires in the city.