1. On January 4, 1896, California's first automobile race was held in Pasadena. The race featured gasoline-powered vehicles and drew a large crowd of spectators.

2. In 1900, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed construction of a new train depot in San Jose on January 4th. The depot served as a major transportation hub for the city and played a key role in its development.

3. On January 4, 1944, aerodynamicist and aircraft designer Jack Northrop unveiled his revolutionary flying wing aircraft concept to the U.S. Army Air Forces. The design would ultimately lead to the development of the B-2 Stealth Bomber.

4. In 1975, California Governor Jerry Brown announced his plan to create an alternate energy program aimed at reducing the state's dependence on fossil fuels. The announcement was made on January 4th and represented a major shift in California's energy policy.

5. On January 4, 2007, San Francisco became the first city in the United States to ban plastic bags in supermarkets and large pharmacies. The ban represented a major step towards reducing plastic waste and promoting more sustainable practices in the city.