Short-lived rebellion in 1846 by American settlers in California against Mexican authorities.
In June a small group captured Sonoma, a settlement north of San Francisco, and declared independence, raising a flag that featured a grizzly bear. Capt. John C. Frémont soon arrived to give his support and was elected to head the "republic." In July U.S. forces occupied San Francisco and Sonoma and claimed California for the U.S. The bear flag later became the state flag.