1. In 1781, the founding of Los Angeles took place on October 2 when a group of settlers established a village along the Los Angeles River. The site of the original pueblo is now commemorated as El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.

2. On October 2, 1869, the cornerstone for the California State Capitol building was laid in Sacramento. The building, which still serves as the seat of government for the state, took 14 years to complete and was designed in a Neo-Classical style.

3. In 1950, construction began on the giant redwood carving known as the Trees of Mystery, which is located on the north coast of California. The carving, which depicts various creatures and scenes from California's history, stands 50 feet tall and is a popular tourist destination.

4. On October 2, 1978, the San Francisco Giants baseball team played their final game at Candlestick Park, which had been their home stadium since 1960. The team moved to a new stadium in downtown San Francisco in 2000.

5. In 2017, the deadliest mass shooting in US history at that time took place on October 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Though not in California, the shooting affected many Californians who were attending the outdoor music festival where the shooting occurred. The tragedy sparked renewed debates over gun control and public safety measures.