Discovery of Gold in California

The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, sparking a massive migration of prospectors seeking wealth. News of the find spread quickly, attracting "forty-niners" from around the world. This sudden influx of miners and settlers led to rapid economic growth, the development of towns, and California's swift admission as a state in 1850. The discovery transformed both the region and the nation, fueling expansion, migration, and economic change during the mid-19th century.