1. In 1847, the Mexican-American War was raging, and on February 6, California Governor Pio Pico issued a proclamation ordering all able-bodied men in the state to join the fight against the invading American forces. This was part of a broader effort by the Mexican government to resist American expansionism in the region.

2. On February 6, 1899, the first known recorded game of beach volleyball was played in Santa Monica, California. The game was played by a group of friends who set up a net on the beach and began hitting a ball back and forth. This led to the creation of the modern sport of beach volleyball, which has since become a popular pastime in California and around the world.

3. In 1952, Los Angeles became host to the first US National Indoor Track and Field Championships. The event was held at the LA Memorial Coliseum and featured some of the top athletes in the country. The championship helped establish LA as a major hub for sports and athletics, and paved the way for future events like the 1984 Summer Olympics.

4. On February 6, 1978, the first ever Chinese New Year Festival was held in San Francisco's Chinatown neighborhood. The festival, which featured parades, dragon dances, and other traditional Chinese customs, has since become an annual tradition in San Francisco and other California cities with large Chinese populations.

5. In 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board. Among them was California resident Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut to go into space. Ramon, a former fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, had been conducting scientific experiments and other research during the mission. The tragedy shook the nation and underscored the risks and challenges of space travel.