California was the 31st state in the USA - it was admitted on September 9, 1850. - it is the 3rd largest state. - its nickname is The Golden State - the Capital is Sacramento. The official state flag of California, called the Bear Flag, was first used on June 14, 1846, but was not officially adopted until 1911. - It was designed by William Todd. - The flag pictures a grizzly bear and a star. - The first Californian flag was quickly made by a group of American settlers who had just captured the town of Sonoma (from Mexico) and needed a flag to replace the Mexican banner.