A Brief History of The Bear Flag Empire
-Describing Important Events In and Around California-
**Note: Some of these events conflict with the timeline given in "Six Guns & Sorcery". Be forewarned.**
1606
Establishment of Monterey. Establishment of the Spanish settlement of Monterey, as a station for Spanish galleons to resupply on voyage from Manila to Acapulco. Within a few years the discovery of San Francisco Bay will to the building of the Presidio at Yerba Buena
1821
Mexican Independence. Mexico declares itself independent of Spain.
1846
The Bear Flag Revolt in California. Armed American settlers lead by John C. Frémont overthrow the Californian government and found the Bear Flag Republic. Attempted landings by US troops are repulsed. Fremont is elected Provisional President
1847
Arrival of the Mormons. The Mormons lead by Brigham Young establish the settlement of Deseret in the Great Salt Lake Valley of the Unorganized Territories.
1848
Discovery of Gold. Gold discovered by Sutter's Mill, New Helvetia, California.
1849
The Gold Rush. The population of California grows terrifically as settlers from all over the world arrive to make their fortunes in the gold fields.
1862
Establishment of the Empire of Mexico. Archduke Maximilian Habsburg of Austria becomes Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, with French backing. Republic of North Mexico established under President Benito Juárez to battle French Imperial forces for the control of Mexico.
1864
The Election of President Norton. Following the assassination of President-for-Life Frémont, Joshua Norton is elected President of the California Republic. The Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora declared Californian protectorates by President Norton's decree to aid Juárez.
1866
California. California adopts the "Prussian"-model of conscription.
1868
California. Formation of the Bear Flag Railroad to connect Virginia City with San Francisco. Emperor Norton funds the establishment of the University of California at Berkeley.
1867
The Battle of Querétaro. The Imperial forces of Maximilian and the armies of the Republic of Northern Mexico clash at Querétaro, the outcome is inconclusive. Uneasy truce between the two Mexicos reached.
1867
California. President Norton negotiates the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire.
1869
Declaration of the Bear Flag Empire. By popular acclimation Norton is crowned Emperor of the Bear Flag Empire of California. The Comstock Silver Lode is given to the Emperor. Fred Marriott and Andrew Hallidie form the Aerial Steam Navigation Company in San Francisco. Their first airship "Avitor", flies successfully and gains Government support.
1870
California. The inauguration of aerial passenger and cargo service within California. Emperor Norton decrees the building of a bridge between San Francisco and Oakland. Alaska is granted the status of "Royal Dominion". Ho Ming Chiang becomes first oriental to be elevated to Californian Peerage and the House of Peers by Emperor Norton I.
1872
Death of Juárez. Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada succeeds to the presidency of North Mexico.
1873
California. The San Francisco Cable Car Company starts operations.
1875
Hawai'i. The Pacific Mail Steamship Company begins service which connects California with the Orient, via the Kingdom of Hawai'i. Reciprocity Treaty signed between the California Empire and the Kingdom of Hawai'i.
1876
Mexico. President de Tejada overthrown by a military coup headed by General Porfirio Díaz. Deteriorating relations between the Bear Flag Empire and North Mexico lead to California decalring war on the Republic of Northern Mexico. Northern Mexico loses all territory north of the 32nd parallel and Baja California. Reconciliation between the governments of California and Imperial Mexico lead to the founding of the Two Emperors League.
1876
United States. U.S. Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1876
California. The Emperor Norton Bridge, between Oakland and San Francisco, is completed. Norton I weds Miss Adelaide Seaborn Wakeman of Oakland, California, declares her Empress Adelaide.
1876
Texas. Sam Houston elected for a fifth term as President of the Texan Republic.
1877
Japan. Satsuma Rebellion in Japan: Samurai vs. Meiji Emperor.
1877
China. Last full Dragon Emperor dies, starting the long collapse of the Draco-Manchu Dynasty.
1877
Twenty Nations. Twenty Nations Confederation opens boundaries to limited white settlement; whites must apply for Indian "tribalship".
1877
California. Repeated incursions by Mexican raiding parties against Californian settlements lead to the dispatching of the Army of the Southwest under General Brown to hunt the raiders down. Martial law is declared throughout the Protectorate of Sonora and the territory south of the Gila River to the 31 parallel, including the city of Puerto Peñasco, are formally annexed by the Bear Flag Republic.
1878
Mexico. The Mexican Empire declares war against the Republic of Northern Mexico.
1879
California. British Columbia joins the Bear Flag Empire. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company is incorporated to fulfill the Emperor's decree to electrically light San Francisco.
1880
California. The 11th Anniversary of the Empire is marked by a total eclipse of sun. The Bear Flag Empire, Republic of Texas, Free State of Orleans and the Twenty Nations Confederation form the North American Customs Union to promote trade, commerce and economic development among themselves.
1886
The Pacific. The Kingdom of Hawai'i and the Kingdom of Samoa form the Federated Empire of Oceania.
1887
Mexico. The Empire of Mexico joins the North American Customs Union.
1888
The Pacific. The Federated Empire of Oceania and the California Empire form the Pacific Customs Union.
1890
California. The Matson Naval Company founded for the California-Hawai'i trade route. California-Hawai'i telegraph cable is laid. Ladybugs imported from Australia to California in order to protect citrus trees from cottony cushion scale insects.
1891
Mexico. Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico dies and is succeeded by his son Maximilian II.
1891
Hawai'i. King Kalakaua of Hawai'i dies while visiting Norton I in San Francisco, succeeded by his sister Liliuokalani.
1892
California. Construction on the Grand Canal begins, to permit transit of deep draft ships from Sacramento to Red Bluff and the draining of the Sacramento Delta. The San Francisco Examiner begins printing the first newspaper comic strip.
1893
United States. The World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
1893
Deseret. The Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City opens.
1893
California. Imperial Army Reform Act is passed.
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