In 1836, Juan Alvarado and Isaac Graham led a revolution against Mexican rule. During this first revolt, rebels were able to capture Monterey and declared California “a free and sovereign state”. Although their rebellion failed to secure independence for California, it inspired the design of flag of the Bear Flag Revolt. The Lone Star Flag of California contained a single red star on a white background.
The Original California Flag
Original California lone star flag
Original California Bear Flag
Upon the raising of the flag, Native Californians looking up were heard to say “Coche,” the common name among them for a pig or shoat. The bear had no ground to stand on. Also, though the bear was described as being en passant (i.e., walking), it was drawn on the original flag statant (standing). The modern flag shows the bear en passant.
The original Grizzly Bear Flag was raised for the first time Sonoma, California in June 1846 on a date between the 14th and the 17th, by the men who became known as the “Bear Flaggers” led by William B. Ide. The exact creation date is at least somewhat unclear, however, U. S. Naval Lieutenant John Missroon reported the flag’s existence as of June 17, 1846. California had been part of Mexico since Mexican independence in 1821 as the department of Alta California, and under the control of Spain for many years before that.
The first Bear Flag was designed by William L. Todd, a nephew of Mary Todd – the wife of Abraham Lincoln. According to the book Flags Over California, published by the California Military Department, the star on the flag was influenced by the 1836 California Lone Star Flag. William Todd, in a 1878 letter to the Los Angeles Express, states that the star was drawn using blackberry juice and in recognition to the California Lone Star Flag. The bear was designed to be a symbol of strength and unyielding resistance.
California Flag as seen today
Monach The Bear Used To Design California Flag
And now you know the history of our beloved flag..
History of the California Flag
In 1836, Juan Alvarado and Isaac Graham led a revolution against Mexican rule. During this first revolt, rebels were able to capture Monterey and declared California “a free and sovereign state”. Although their rebellion failed to secure independence for California, it inspired the design of flag of the Bear Flag Revolt. The Lone Star Flag of California contained a single red star on a white background.
The Original California Flag
Original California lone star flag
Original California Bear Flag
Upon the raising of the flag, Native Californians looking up were heard to say “Coche,” the common name among them for a pig or shoat. The bear had no ground to stand on. Also, though the bear was described as being en passant (i.e., walking), it was drawn on the original flag statant (standing). The modern flag shows the bear en passant.
The original Grizzly Bear Flag was raised for the first time Sonoma, California in June 1846 on a date between the 14th and the 17th, by the men who became known as the “Bear Flaggers” led by William B. Ide. The exact creation date is at least somewhat unclear, however, U. S. Naval Lieutenant John Missroon reported the flag’s existence as of June 17, 1846. California had been part of Mexico since Mexican independence in 1821 as the department of Alta California, and under the control of Spain for many years before that.
The first Bear Flag was designed by William L. Todd, a nephew of Mary Todd – the wife of Abraham Lincoln. According to the book Flags Over California, published by the California Military Department, the star on the flag was influenced by the 1836 California Lone Star Flag. William Todd, in a 1878 letter to the Los Angeles Express, states that the star was drawn using blackberry juice and in recognition to the California Lone Star Flag. The bear was designed to be a symbol of strength and unyielding resistance.
California Flag as seen today
Monach The Bear Used To Design California Flag
And now you know the history of our beloved flag..
-Dirty Rascal