jan 24, 1848 - The California Gold Rush begins

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The California Gold Rush began when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 people to California from the rest of the United States and abroad. The sudden influx of gold into the money supply reinvigorated the American economy, and the sudden population increase allowed California to go rapidly to statehood. The Gold Rush had severe effects on Native Californians and resulted in a precipitous population decline from disease, genocide and starvation

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