The Californias - Timeline

Timeline

• 1533- First European landing "in California" on the lower Baja California peninsula by Fortún Jiménez.
• 28 September 1542- First European landing near upper California by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in Ensenada (in Baja California).
• 4 November 1595- Sebastián Rodríguez Cermeño claims the Pacific coast for Spain.
• Approximately 100 years of inactivity and no presence in Baja California, and 200 years of inactivity or presence in Alta California.
• 1697- Jesuit Missions erected in southern Baja California.
• 1768- Spanish settlement begins in Alta California.
• 3 June 1770- Governorship established for Las Californias Province.
• 1786- Intendancy of Las Californias Province established.
• 1804- Separate administrations for Alta California and Baja California Provinces.
• 11 April 1822- Both provinces become part of the new independent nation of Mexico, now as the territories of Baja California and Alta California.
• 2 February 1848 - Alta California territory ceded to the United States—the term "Las Californias" and "Alta California" no longer formally used with this area. ("Alta California" became simply "California" and given definite borders. It was also subject to primarily anglophone American rule. The rest of Alta California became parts of various American states, such as Arizona and Nevada.)