When California adopted an official state flag in 1911, they hearkened back to the days of that brief republic of 1846 and chose a modernized rendition of the (mistaken) bear flag design.

California was declared a state four years later, but the successor to the original bear flag was not adopted by the State Legislature until 1911. 11/38 Getty California's state flower is the ...

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, July 3.Here’s what you need to know to start your day. Let’s unpack a bit of California flag history they didn’t teach us in grade school.

The California state flag, depicting Monarch. Douglas Sacha/Getty Images Before the grizzly adorned the California state flag, the bear was used in a publicity stunt to sell newspapers.