1. California State University, Long Beach was Founded on March 2, 1949
On March 2, 1949, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) was established as Long Beach State College. The university's initial curriculum focused on liberal arts, business, and teacher education. Today, CSULB is one of the largest universities in the California State University system, with over 38,000 students enrolled.

2. The California Supreme Court Issued a Landmark Ruling on March 2, 1978
On March 2, 1978, the California Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Bakke v. Regents of the University of California. The case involved a challenge to the use of racial quotas in university admissions. The court ruled that while quotas were unconstitutional, universities could use affirmative action to promote diversity. The Bakke decision shaped higher education admissions policies for decades to come.

3. California's First Public Library Opened on March 2, 1872
On March 2, 1872, California's first public library opened its doors in San Francisco. The library was founded by the San Francisco Mercantile Library Association, which had been in operation since 1850. The public library movement gained momentum in California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today there are over 1,100 public libraries in the state.

4. California Governor Jerry Brown Declared a Drought State of Emergency on March 2, 2015
On March 2, 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency due to the state's severe drought conditions. The declaration authorized the state to take emergency measures to conserve water, including restrictions on water usage and increased penalties for water waste. The drought continued for several years, causing widespread environmental and economic damage.

5. The California Gold Rush Began on March 2, 1848
On March 2, 1848, a carpenter named James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in the Sierra Nevada foothills. News of the discovery spread quickly, and thousands of people flocked to California in search of riches. The California Gold Rush had a profound impact on the state's economy and demographics, contributing to its rapid growth and development in the mid-19th century.