1. In 1864, California's first national park, Yosemite, was established by President Abraham Lincoln. The park spans over 1,200 square miles and features majestic waterfalls, granite cliffs, and diverse wildlife.

2. In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opened to traffic. The suspension bridge spans 1.7 miles and connects San Francisco to Marin County. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world.

3. In 1973, OPEC oil embargo began, leading to a skyrocketing oil prices and the gasoline shortage in California. The embargo was in retaliation to the United States' support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War.

4. In 1995, the city of Costa Mesa became the first city in the nation to ban smoking in all public places, including bars and restaurants. This groundbreaking legislation helped pave the way for other cities across the country to enact similar bans.

5. In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected as the governor of California. He served two terms, from 2003 to 2011. During his tenure, he signed several important pieces of legislation, including the California Global Warming Solutions Act, which set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.