1. On May 7, 1846, a group of American settlers proclaimed the short-lived California Republic in Sonoma, California. The republic lasted less than a month before being annexed by the United States.

2. In 1878, the first California State Normal School (now known as San Jose State University) was founded in San Jose. The school's mission was to train teachers for California's rapidly growing population.

3. On May 7, 1935, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened to the public. The bridge, which spans 8.4 miles and connects San Francisco and Oakland, is one of the most iconic landmarks in California.

4. In 1964, the legendary Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and his quartet performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival. The performance was recorded and later released as the album "Jazz Impressions of Japan," which became a major commercial success.

5. On May 7, 2019, Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, issued an executive order placing a moratorium on the death penalty in the state. The order halted all executions for as long as Newsom remained in office.