World History · North America
Gold Discovered in California
HistoryCentral · Primary Source & History
In January 1849, President Polk announced that gold had been found in California. This set off the Gold Rush, in which 80,000 individuals headed for California to seek their fortunes. The first wave arrived on February 28, 1949, and became known as “the 49ers.” These people changed the face of California.
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