For 25 tumultuous days in 1846, Sonoma was capital of the independent Republic of California.
It was the time of the Bear Flag Revolt, and it unleashed events that resulted later in our first state flag, and American rule throughout California.
Lured by rumors of free land, American settlers had swarmed into California during the early 1840's. However, the Mexican government at the the time prohibited them from owning land or holding office.
Tension mounted. During the summer of 1846, a rag-tag band of Americans who called themselves Osos, or bears, set out ot change things.
Thirty rough and ready horsemen from out of the Sacramento Valley rode into Sonoma at dawn on June 14, 1846. They halted at General Vallejo's renowned Casa Grande headquarters, arrested the cooperative general and his men, and declared California an independent republic. It was accomplished without firing a shot.
Before noon of that historic day, the Bear Flag Party elected William Ide as leader of the new republic. William Todd, a nephew of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, volunteered to make the flag.
Using unbleached muslin, a donated red petticoat, and his own rough hewn talents, Todd quickly sewed a red star on the upper left-hand corner and a red stripe along the bottom. He hand-printed "California Republic" and he drew a crude grizzly bear just above it.
The fledgling republic was to survive only 25 days. On July 7, 1846, an American naval vessel captured the Mexican capital at Monterey and claimed all of California for the United States. Two days later, Lieutenant Revere (grandson of Revoltuionary War hero Paul Revere) arrived in Sonoma.
The Bear Flag Party agreed to throw their lot in with the American conquest. The Bear Flag came down, and up went the Stars and Stripes of the United States of America.
Today, a large rock, topped with a bronze figure holding aloft the Bear Flag marks the site where the flag was first raised in the Sonoma Plaza. Years later, in 1911, the historic event was further honored when the Bear Flag was officially adopted as our flag of the State of California.
This summer represents the 150th anniversary of The Bear Flag Revolt. A fullschedule of events is planned to commemorate the 25 days that Sonoma spent as the capital of the California Republic.