the California Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush was a period starting in 1848 when large amounts of gold were discovered at Sutter's Mill, California. This discovery led to a massive migration of people—known as "forty-niners"—seeking fortune. The rush transformed California’s economy and population, causing rapid development of towns and infrastructure. While some prospectors struck it rich, many found little and faced hardships. The Gold Rush also had significant impacts on Native American communities and environmental changes. Overall, it was a pivotal event that helped shape California’s path to statehood and contributed to the westward expansion of the United States.