1. In 1850, California became the 31st state in the United States of America. This was a significant milestone in the state's history, marking its entrance into the union as a free state.

2. In 1868, a powerful earthquake struck the city of Hayward in the San Francisco Bay Area, causing extensive damage to the region. The earthquake, which measured over 6.8 on the Richter scale, remains one of the most significant seismic events in California's history.

3. In 1870, the University of Southern California (USC) was founded in Los Angeles. Today, USC is one of the state's most prestigious universities, and is recognized worldwide for its programs in business, medicine, and engineering.

4. In 1942, thousands of Japanese Americans living in California were forcibly relocated to internment camps following the outbreak of World War Two. This event remains a dark chapter in the state's history, underscoring how political and cultural tensions can lead to human rights abuses.

5. In 1972, the iconic Space Shuttle was launched into space for the first time from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While the launch did not directly take place in California, the state played a vital role in the development and testing of the Space Shuttle program, which has had a profound impact on our quest to explore the final frontier.