June 12
Missions in 1787
The first marriage of a presidio soldier took place at Mission Santa Barbara. Hilario Gimenez, a member of the guard, took Indian neophyte Juana Maria as his wife.
Santa Barbara Mission by Lloyd Harting (1901 – 1974)
Riverside (1876).
Post Offices in 1871
Riverside post office opened. It is the most populous city in the Inland Empire, some 60 miles east of Los Angeles, and was the birthplace of the California citrus industry.
Movies in 1939
Shooting began on “Dr. Cyclops”. It was the first horror film photographed in three-strip Technicolor at Paramount Pictures. Four explorers summoned to Peru by the brilliant Dr. Thorkel discover a source of radium and a half-mad Thorkel who shrinks them to one-fifth their normal size when they threaten to stop his experiments.
Sports in 1959
Mike McCormick, San Francisco Giant, pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies, 3-0. McCormick allowed a single in the sixth inning but rain ended the game before the inning ended, so the game officially ended after five innings.
Alinsky in 1972
Saul Alinsky, founder of the Industrial Areas Foundation, died in Carmel at age 63. He is considered the father of community organizing.
Movies in 1981
“Raiders Of The Lost Ark,” filmed partly in San Francisco and University of the Pacific, debuted. It was the first Indiana Jones film released but second in the series chronological order.
Norma Shearer.
Shearer in 1983
Norma Shearer, Hollywood star from 1925 through 1942, died in Woodland Hills at age 80. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress six times, winning for “The Divorcee” (1930).
Parks in 1984
Huntington Falls at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park was turned back on after being rebuilt for $846,000. The 1893 falls had collapsed in 1962 and were turned off for 22 years.
Huntington Falls at Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park.
Crime in 1994
Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were murdered outside her home in Los Angeles. O.J. Simpson was later acquitted of murder but held liable in a wrongful death civil suit.
Environment in 1996
Hinkley, in the Mojave Desert, won a $333 million settlement from PG&E for leakage of chromium 6 from storage tanks into the groundwater.
Sports in 2002
The Los Angeles Lakers shut out the New Jersey Nets for the NBA championship, 4-0. Shaquille O’Neal, MVP, averaged 36 points and 12 rebounds in the series. It was the franchise’s 14th NBA championship.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (2002).
Seal of San Francisco.
Government in 2006
San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren struck down a voter approved ban on handgun possession. Proposition H outlawed handgun possession by all city residents except law enforcement and others who need guns for professional reasons.
Business in 2007
A report on CEO pay said Terry Semel of Yahoo, in Sunnyvale, topped the list with $71.7 million.
Terry Semel.
Herbert in 2007
Don Herbert, television’s “Mr. Wizard,” died in Bell Canyon at age 89. He introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science from 1951 to 1990.
Oscar Grant.
Protests in 2011
Some 300 protesters staged a peaceful demonstration near Oakland city hall. They were outraged that Johannes Mehserle, a white former BART police officer, was about to be released from prison. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting death of Oscar Grant, an unarmed black passenger (2009).
Ziskin in 2011
Laura Ziskin. Hollywood producer, died in Santa Monica at age 61. Among her movies were “Pretty Woman” (1990), “Fight Club” (1999) and the “Spider Man” series (2002-2014).
June 13
Missions in 1798
Lausen dedicated Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the 18th mission. In 1830 it had 30 square miles of land. They grazed 27,000 head of cattle, 26,000 sheep, 2,000 horses, plus pigs, goats, ducks, chickens and geese. There were wheat fields, vegetable gardens, vineyards that produced fine wine and groves of olive and orange trees.
Mission San Luis Rey. Photograph by Carleton Watkins.
Environmentin 1907
The lowest temperature recorded in the 48 U.S. states for June was 2°F in Tamarack.
Luis Alvarez in his laboratory with a Geiger Counter. photo © Bettmann/CORBIS
Alvarez in 1911
Luis Alvarez, experimental physicist, inventor and professor, was born in San Francisco. Winner of a Nobel Prize (1968), he has been called “one of the most brilliant and productive experimental physicists of the twentieth century.”
Flight in 1946
Robin Olds and three other USAF pilots flew the first one-day round-trip transcontinental flight from March Field, Riverside County, to Washington, DC.
Zappa in 1958
Frank Zappa graduated from Antelope Valley High School in Lancaster. The leader of The Mothers of Invention attended high school with Don Van Vliet, later known as the musician Captain Beefheart.
Music in 1968
Johnny Cash performed a concert at California’s Folsom Prison. The album, “At Folsom Prison” brought new life to his career and lead to a second prison album, “At San Quentin” (1969).
Crime in 2001
San Francisco police shot and killed Idriss Stelley, age 23, at the Sony Metreon complex. Stelley suffered a mental breakdown and cut an officer with a knife. Officers fired over 20 shots, wounding one of their men.
Idriss Stelley.
Humboldt Fire.
Fires in 2008
Some 2,800 firefighters fought the Humboldt Fire in Butte County. 9,000 residents fled as fire covered 23,000 acres. It destroyed 74 homes and damaged 20 more in Paradise before it was brought under control on June 15.
Crime in 2011
Orange County District Attorney charged Dr. Sim Hoffman, radiologist, and Dr. Thomas Heric, neurologist, and two staffers in a $17 million insurance fraud scheme.
Sim Hoffman, M.D., (right), and one of his lawyers,
Matt Cain.
Sports in 2012
Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants, pitched a perfect game to defeat the Houston Astros, 10-0. This was the 22nd perfect game in major league history.
June 14
Government in 1846
The California Republic was declared following the Bear Flag Revolt in Sonoma. Thirty-three American rebels at the plaza raised a flag with a bear and a star symbols. Although the U.S. declared war against Mexico in May, word did not reach California until July.
Newspapers in 1849
California Star, San Francisco’s first newspaper closed. The staff had gone to the gold fields.
The California Star
San Francisco fires (1849 – 1851)
Fires in 1850
Fire burned over 300 houses in San Francisco. Two-thirds of the richest part of the city was destroyed at an estimated loss of $3 million.
Fires in 1853
Fire burned almost the whole town of Shasta. Seventy buildings were destroyed, including every hotel, store and saloon.
Shasta (1850’s).
Transportation in 1876
Leland Stanford and friends established the California Street Cable Car Railroad Co. in San Francisco. This provided transportation to their mansions under construction on Nob Hill.
Early San Francisco Cable Car on Clay Street, 1878. Photos: San Francisco History Center, SF Public Library.
Sacramento Free Library.
Libraries in 1879
Sacramento Free Public Library opened with a collection of around 6,000 books to serve a population of 21,000. Today it is the fourth largest library system in California, serving over 1.3 million people who borrow 7.5 million items yearly.
Crime in 1882
Charles Earl Bowles, English born gentleman bandit known as Black Bart, who left poems at the scenes of his crime, held up Wells Fargo stagecoaches 28 times. His 22nd was two miles from Little Lake in Mendocino County.
Charles Bowles, also known as Black Bart.
Business in 1893
Riverside Banking Company closed due to a national economic depression. Panicked depositors withdrew funds from other Los Angeles banks, forcing several more to close.
Architecture in 1927
The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley opened. It is an example of National Park Service rustic architecture and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Gertrude Atherton.
Atherton in 1948
Gertrude Atherton, author, died in San Francisco, where she was born. Many of her novels were set in California. Black Oxen (1923) was made into a movie by the same name. Some of her work deals with women’s rights and feminist politics.
Parks in 1959
The Disneyland Monorail System opened. It was the first daily operating monorail system in the US. Vice-President Richard Nixon and his family attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Environment in 1961
Temperature reached 106°F in San Francisco, the highest reading there for this day since 1871. It reached the same temperature on July 3, 1988.
Governor Ronald Regan (1966).
Government in 1967
Governor Ronald Reagan signed the Therapeutic Abortion Act. He was in office for four months when he signed it and later said he would not have signed it if he had been more experienced.
Sports in 1969
Reggie Jackson, Oakland A’s, batted in 10 runs to beat the Boston Red Sox, 21-7. He got five hits in six at-bats, including two home runs, two doubles and a single.
Music in 1981
Bruce Springsteen headlined the No Nukes concert at Hollywood Bowl. It featured Jackson Browne, Gary US Bonds, Bonnie Raitt, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills and Nicolette Larson.
Magic Johnson
Sports in 1987
Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in the 41st NBA Championship, 4-2. Magic Johnson was named MVP. He averaged 26.2 points, 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
Crime in 1989
Zsa Zsa Gabor, actress, was arrested for slapping a Beverly Hills motorcycle patrolman. She was sentenced to three days in jail and reached an out-of-court settlement in a $10-million lawsuit filed by the officer.
Zsa Zsa Gabor (1959).
Mancini in 1994
Henry Mancini, legendary composer and arranger best known for film and television scores, died in Beverly Hills at age 70. He won four Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, 20 Grammy Awards and the US Postal Service issued a stamp in his honor (2004).
Mike Benjamin (1995).
Sports in 1995
Mike Benjamin, San Francisco Giants, batted 6-for-7 in a 13-inning win over the Chicago White Sox, 4-3. He hit five singles, a double and drove in the winning run. Benjamin set a major league record by getting 14 hits in three games.
Environment in 2000
Temperature hit 103 degrees In San Francisco, matching the record high set on July 17, 1988.
Jordan in 2002
June Jordan, black radical UC Berkeley poet- professor, died of at age 65. She wrote 28 volumes of poems, political essays and children’s books, becoming one of the most published African American writers.
Environment in 2005
A 7.0-magnitude quake struck northern California about 90 miles southwest of coastal Crescent City, where a 1964 tsunami killed 11 people.
Water in 2007
Sonoma County Water Agency became the first water provider in the state since the early 1990s to begin mandatory rationing.
Sonoma County Water Agency Supply and Transmission.
Parks in 2008
Fort Baker, in Marin County, was rededicated as a public park with the 142-room Cavallo Point lodge.
Sports in 2009
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic in the 63rd NBA Championship, 4-1. Kobe Bryant was named Most Valuable Player. He averaged 32.4 points and 7.4 assists in this series.
Kobe Bryant (2009).
Los Angeles Unified School District.
Public health in 2011
Los Angeles Unified School District, agreed to combat childhood obesity by stop serving chocolate and strawberry milk in school cafeterias.
June 15
Water in 1857
San Francisco Water Works was formed to draw water from Lobos Creek, near the Presidio. It was bought by Spring Valley Water Works in 1858 then by the city in the 1930’s.
San Francisco (1857).
Photography in 1878
Eadweard Muybridge took a series of photographs to prove all four feet of a horse leave the ground when it runs. That series of photographs become the basis of motion pictures.
Orange Public Library.
Libraries in 1885
Orange Public Library was founded. Today they have 34 Yelp reviews with a 4.5 star rating.
Fairs in 1915
The U.S. government minted octagonal $50 gold coins for the Panama Pacific Exposition. The first ones were struck in a special ceremony at the San Francisco Mint.
Sports in 1963
Juan Marichal, San Francisco Giants, pitched a no-hitter to defeat the Houston Colt .45s, 1-0.
Music in 1963
Buck Owens’ song, “Act Naturally,” began its first of four non-consecutive weeks at the #1 position on the Billboard Country Singles chart.
Crime in 1970
Charles Manson’s trial for the Sharon Tate murders began. Manson appeared in court with an “X” carved into his forehead on the first day of testimony.
Ashley in 1996
Mary Ashley, pioneer video and performance artist, died in San Francisco at age 65. She was a driving force behind the ONCE festivals, beginning in 1961.
Fitzgerald in 1996
Ella Fitzgerald, legendary jazz singer, died in Beverly Hills at age 78. She was known as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella.
Sports in 2001
Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 108-96 in game five to win their second straight NBA championship.
Sports in 2004
Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1, to win the 58th NBA Championship. The Lakers’ collapse resulted in only one of the stars, Kobe Bryant, remaining on the team for the next season.
Kobe Bryant (2005).
Business in 2011
Pandora Media, in Oakland, debuted on Wall Street. The stock closed at $17.42, up 8.87% over its $16 IPO.
Apple I computer, with a homemade wooden computer case.
Computers in 2012
An Apple I computer sold at auction for $374,500. In 1975, to finance its creation, Steve Jobs sold his VW Microbus and Steve Wozniak sold his calculator. The working Apple I is displayed at the Nexon Computer Museum in Jeju City, South Korea.
Crime in 2011
Fabian Zaragoza, age 17, of East Palo Alto was charged with the murder of a 3-month old baby and wounding the baby’s mother. He shot at their car because he thought he saw gang members who had beaten him up. But the car belonged to a family leaving a baby shower.
Government in 2011
Hercules voters recalled Mayor Joanne Ward, and City Councilman Donald Kuehne in a special election. They angered voters by arranging unethical business deals that benefited friends and added to the city’s financial crisis.
June 16
Ranchos in 1842
Rancho de la Punta de Reyes was deeded. A portion of the 13,645-acre Mexican land grant is in Marin County’s Point Reyes National Seashore.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Georgia and Eliza Donner with Mary Brunner (1850)
Overland Journeys in 1846
Tamsen Donner wrote that they reached the Platte River. The journey had been easier than she expected. They were 200 miles from Fort Laramie, in present-day Wyoming.
Environment in 1896
Temperature hit 127°F at Fort Mojave. It was the hottest reading of record for June in the US.
Transportation in 1908
Taxi cab service started in Los Angeles. The Thomas Motor Car vehicles had a 16-horsepower motor. The ten taxis introduced into service were the first ones west of Chicago.
Los Angeles, Broadway and Fifth Street (ca.1908). Courtesy California Historical Society.
Exploration in 1909
Roald Amundsen, explorer, donated his converted herring boat, the Gjoe, to San Francisco. He sailed it across the Northwest Passage in 1905, reaching San Francisco in 1906. The boat was returned to Norway (1972), replaced by a sculpture next to the Beach Chalet at Ocean Beach.
Government in 1913
The California legislature approved the Civil Service Act. This guaranteed employment in state government based on merit and ability, not on political connections.
Overland Journeys in 1929
Otto Funk, 62, ended his walk from New York to San Francisco. He traveled 4,165 miles in 183 days. Known as the “Walking Fiddler,” he fiddled every step of the way.
Otto E. Funk.
Chaplin in 1943
Charlie Chaplin, comic actor and filmmaker, married his fourth wife, Oona O’Neill, 18-year-old daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill, in Carpenteria. Chaplin’s became famous worldwide for his character, “the Tramp,” and as a cofounder of United Artists.
Art in 1954
The 13-foot neon beer glass atop the new Hamm’s Brewery in San Francisco was turned on. Brewing continued there until 1974.
Hamms.
Reeves in 1959
George Reeves, film and television actor, died in Beverly Hills at age 45. He was best known as Superman in the television series (1952-1958).
Television in 1966
“Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” filmed in Burbank (1968-1972), debuted on NBC-TV. It featured some of the first music videos seen on network television, popularized the phrase “Sock it to me!,” launched careers and spun off a magazine and trading cards.
Music in 1967
50,000 – 90,000 people attended the first Monterey International Pop Festival. It featured Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Ravi Shankar. It was the first large-scale public performance of Janis Joplin and introduced Otis Redding to a large, predominantly white audience.
1987: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the bench during an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles.
Sports in 1975
The Milwaukee Bucks traded Kareem Abdul-Jabber and Walt Wesley to the Los Angeles Lakers for four players. The NBA’s best center, who had grown up in New York City and starred at UCLA, wanted out of Milwaukee.
Race Relations in 1980
Huey Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, received his doctoral degree from UC Santa Cruz. His doctoral thesis was titled “War Against the Panthers: A Study of Repression in America.”
Huey Newton (196?).
Oracle logo.
Business in 1977
Oracle Corporation incorporated in Santa Clara as Software Development Laboratories. Today it is the second-largest software maker by revenue, after Microsoft.
Sports in 1988
Thirty-two divers begin cycling on a standard tricycle underwater near Santa Barbara to complete 116.66 mi in 75 hours 20 minutes.
Music in 1990
MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Oakland native was known for flashy dance movements, choreography and Hammer pants.
Lapin in 2004
Al Lapin Jr., co-founder of the International House of Pancakes with his brother (1958), died in Los Angeles at age 76. The pancake houses became known for blue roofs and leaving a pot of coffee on the table.
IHOP.
Crime in 2006
In Martinez, Susan Polk was convicted of stabbing to death her millionaire psychotherapist husband, whom she had met as a 14-year-old girl in treatment.
Ron Dellums.
Government in 2006
An unofficial final tally showed former US Rep. Ron Dellums won the Oakland mayor’s race by 155 votes with 50.18% of the vote.
Government in 2008
California county clerks began issuing marriage rights to gay men and lesbians, becoming the second US state to grant such rights.
Pride Rainbow Flag.
June 17
Exploration in 1579
Sir Frances Drake reached Drake’s Bay. Having captured several Spanish treasure ships, he needed to repair his ships and prepare for sailing to England by crossing the Pacific Ocean.
Drake’s Bay
Inventions in 1890
Lydia Mackenzie of San Francisco patented a portable crib. “My invention relates to an improvement in children’s cribs; and it consists of a portable arrangement of parts…”
Lydia Mackenzie of San Francisco patented a portable crib (1890).
Inventions in 1890
Delia McGregory of Los Angeles patented a milk churn. “The object of my invention is to produce a wholesome, palatable, inexpensive compound, superior to my former compound in quality, texture, and appearance.”
Delia McGregory of Los Angeles patented a milk churn (1890).
Government in 1913
U.S. Marines sailed from San Diego to protect American interests in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.
Jack Parsons.
Parsons in 1952
John Parsons, rocket scientist, businessman and occultist, died in Pasadena at age 37. He died in a home laboratory explosion.
Music in 1967
Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody To Love” peaked at #5 on the Billboard singles chart. The group was the first San Francisco psychedelic rock band to reach international mainstream success.
O.J. Simpson.
Crime in 1994
O.J. Simpson, following a televised low-speed highway chase, was arrested for murdering his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Crime in 2005
Marcus Wesson, patriarch of a large clan he bred through incest, was convicted in Fresno. He murdered nine of his children and was sentenced to death.
Seal of San Francisco.
Government in 2005
San Francisco began an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing for Commodities Ordnance. It became the first US city to consider public health and environmental values when purchasing products.
Franz in 2006
Arthur Franz, film and television actor, died in Oxnard at age 86. His was best known for roles in “The Sniper” (1952) and “Hellcats of the Navy” (1957).
Mark Candler.
Crime in 2008
Oakland police arrested Mark Chandler, age 33, Acorn gang leader, and some 30 members. They were charged with murders, carjackings, restaurant robberies and trafficking drugs and weapons.
Charisse in 2008
Cyd Charisse, film actress and dancer, died in Los Angeles at age 86. She was best known for “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952), where she danced with Gene Kelly. She was born Tula Ellice Finklea in Texas and married singer-actor Tony Martin.
Los Angeles Lakers.
Sports in 2010
Los Angeles Lakers won a 16th NBA championship by defeating the Boston Celtics, 83-79.
Business in 2011
California government and corporate leaders broke ground on the $4 billion Blythe Solar Power Project in Riverside County.
King in 2012
Rodney King, whose videotaped beating by police led to the L.A. riots (1991), died in Rialto at age 47.
June 18
Ranchos in 1841
Rancho New Helvetia, meaning New Switzerland, was deeded to John Sutter. After gold was discovered at his mill on the American River at Coloma, his fort was abandoned and Sacramento was built on his land.
Sutter’s Fort drawn by George Victor Cooper in 1849
Hornitors.
Post Offices in 1856
A U.S. Post Office opened in Hornitos (originally Hornitas). The Mariposa County town was named for the above ground graves of Mexican miners, built in the shape of small ovens or hornitos. It had a population of 75 in 2010.
Pasadena in 1886
Pasadena incorporated. It became the fifth city in Los Angeles County. Today it is best known as home to the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade. It had a population of 137,122 in 2010.
Pasadena, Colorado and Fair Oaks Streets (1890). Courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library’s Photo Collection.
Overland Journeys in 1903
Horatio Jackson began the first transcontinental car trip in San Francisco. He bet $50 to prove he could drive across the country. Jackson did not own a car, had little driving experience and no map. He bought a used, 2-cylinder, 20 horsepower Winton automobile for the journey and convinced Sewall Crocker, a mechanic, to join him. They arrived in New York with their dog, Bud, on July 26, 1903.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssv2q6Txb1A
Sho-Ka-Wah Casino 17th Anniversary logo.
Rancherias in 1907
The Hopland Indian Rancheria was established. It covers 40 acres in Mendocino County and has approximately 291 tribal members who live in the area, some 45 live on the reservation. Today the tribe owns and operates the Hopland Sho-Ka-Wah Casino.
Wally (1936)
Accidents in 1936
Wally, the 25-year-old elephant, was shot to death in San Francisco. He trampled to death Edward Brown, Fleishhacker Zoo keeper.
Sports in 1960
The San Francisco Giants hired Tom Sheehan as manager. Age 66, he became baseball’s oldest debuting manager. That season, San Francisco won 46, lost 50 and and fell to a second-division, fifth place finish. Sheehan returned to scouting duties at season’s end.
Sports in 1972
Jack Nicklaus shot a 290 in the 72nd US Golf Open at Pebble Beach to win $30,000. Nicklaus, known as The Golden Bear, was among the most accomplished professional golfers of all time. He won 18 career major championships.
Public Health in 1981
The AIDS epidemic was formally recognized by medical professionals in San Francisco. Since then, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has killed between 2.8 and 3.5 million people.
Peter Allen (1980), Courtesy National Library of Australia.
Allen in 1992
Peter Allen, Australian songwriter and entertainer, died in San Diego County, from HIV/AIDS at age 48.
Crime in 1996
Federal prosecutors charged Theodor J. Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, with four attacks, including two killings in Sacramento.
Theodore Kaczynski mugshot.
Sports in 2000
Tiger Woods shot a 272 in the 100th U.S. Golf Open at Pebble Beach to win nearly $5 million. He won his first U.S. Open by a record-setting 15 strokes over runners-up, which remains the greatest victory in any major championship.
Morley Man.
Lubow in 2002
Raymond Lubow, Morley guitar pedals creator, died in Los Angeles at age 82. His musical special effects “Morley Man” logo was a long-haired rocker.
Business in 2003
Google, in Mountain View, launched AdSense. It let website publishers serve ads targeted to the content of their pages.
Google.
Terry Semel.
Business in 2004
Terry Semel, CEO of Yahoo in Sunnyvale, and his wife Jane Bovington Semel reportedly planned to donate $25 million to UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute.
Government in 2007
A citizen’s commission appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger voted to raise legislators’ pay by 2.75%.
Terry Semel.
Business in 2007
Terry Semel stepped down as chief executive officer of Yahoo Inc., headquartered in Sunnyvale, and handed control to co-founder Jerry Yang.
Crime in 2007
Kevin Morrissey, age 51, overwhelmed by financial worries, shot and killed his wife and two children in Berkeley’s Tilden Park.
Khan in 2009
Ali Akbar Khan, Indian-born master performer and teacher of the 25-string Sarod, died in San Anselmo at age 87. The Ali Akbar College of Music , began in Calcutta (1967), is now in San Rafael with a branch in Basel, Switzerland.
Business in 2010
Marc Benioff, founder of Salesforce.com, in San Francisco, donated $100 million to UC San Francisco for a children’s hospital at UCSF Mission Bay. The $1.5 billion complex was scheduled for completion in 2014.
Marc Benioff.
June 19
Pacific Palisades.
Ranchos in 1839
Rancho Boca de Santa Monica was deeded. The 6,656-acre Mexican land grant in present day Los Angeles County included what is now Santa Monica Canyon, Pacific Palisades and parts of Topanga Canyon.
Newspapers in 1855
El Clamor Publico began publishing in Los Angeles. It was founded by 19-year-old Francisco Ramirez, the former Spanish editor of the Los Angeles Star. It was published weekly until August 1859. The paper expressed strong political views in support of the Mexicanos as well as publishing poetry and literature.
El Clamo Publico, Los Angeles (1859).
Anaheim (1879).
Post offices in 1861
A U.S. Post Office opened in Anaheim. John Fischer was named Postmaster.
Inventions in 1883
Catharina Gilberts of San Francisco patented a mincing knife.
Catharina Gilberts of San Francisco patented a mincing knife (1883).
Alan Cranston.
Cranston in 1914
Alan Cranston, journalist and Democratic Senator from California, was born in Palo Alto. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination (1984).
Music in 1932
The first concert was held in San Francisco’s Sigmund Stern Grove. The outdoor amphitheater has held free weekly concerts and performances during the summer since 1938.
Flight in 1947
Albert Boyd, pioneer US Air Force test pilot, flew the P-80R to a new world’s speed record of 623.753 mph at Muroc Air Force Base. It arrived too late to be used in World War Two but played a role in the Korean War.
Lockheed P-80R.
Television in 1954
Tasmanian Devil debuted in “Devil May Hare,” a Warner Brothers cartoon. He stalks Bugs Bunny but is little more than a nuisance.
Sports in 1955
Jack Fleck shot a 287 in the 55th U.S. Golf Open at Olympic Club in San Francisco to win $6,000. It was one of the great upsets in golf history. Fleck, a municipal course pro from Iowa, not only won his only major title, he denied Ben Hogan a record fifth U.S. Open.
Ben Hogan (right) admiring a new putter that belongs to U.S. Open Champion Jack Fleck.
Movies in 1957
Walt Disney’s “Johnny Tremain,” originally made for television, debuted in movie theaters. Its success later inspired Disneyland’s Liberty Square.
Theater in 1964
Carol Doda, exotic dancer, wore a topless bathing suit at the San Francisco Condor Club. After breast implants, her bust became known as Doda’s “twin-44s.” The club erected a neon sign with blinking nipples that lasted to 1991.
Condor Club (1973).
Music in 1984
“Weird Al” Yankovic gave a free live performance at Del Mar Fair. He was known for parody songs like “Another One Rides the Bus,” “I Love Rocky Road” and “Word Crimes.”
Jean Arthur.
Arthur in 1991
Jean Arthur, film actress, died in Carmel at age 90. She played in three Frank Capra films: “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (1936), “You Can’t Take It With You” (1938) and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939). She was a major star of the 1930s and 1940s.
Sports in 2000
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA finals, 4-2. Shaquille O’Neal was MVP.
Shaquille O’Neal (2000).
Andrew Burnett.
Crime in 2001
A San Jose jury convicted Andrew Burnett of tossing a little dog, Leo, to its death on a busy highway in a fit of road rage. He was sentenced to three years in prison for the death of the fluffy white Bichon Frise.
Beauty Pageants in 2011
Alyssa Campanella, age 21, of Los Angeles, beat 51 beauty queens to take the Miss USA title at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.