The Pueblo, the Rancheros, and the Americans

Pre-Colonial & Spanish Exploration

• Before 1542: The Tongva people have a thriving settlement (Yang-na) in the Los Angeles Basin.

• 1542: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo claims the California coast (including Los Angeles) for Spain.

Mission Period

• 1769: Gaspar de Portolá, first governor of Alta California, begins work on the Camino Real mission system.

• 1771: San Gabriel Mission founded near the Tongva settlement.

• 1781: The official Pueblo de Los Angeles is founded on September 4th.

Mexico and California

• 1818: Floods force Los Angeles to be rebuilt on higher ground.

• 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain.

• 1835: Los Angeles becomes the capital of Alta California (still under Mexican rule).

Manifest Destiny & Mexican-American War

• 1845: Californians revolt in the Battle of Providencia, briefly ousting Mexican authorities.

• 1846-1848: The Mexican-American War.

• 1847: US Forces under Stockton and Fremont take Los Angeles peacefully.