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Bear Flag Revolt, Sonoma Square
This statue on the town square of Sonoma commemorates the spot where, in 1846 American settlers pounded on the door of General Vallejo, demanded he surrender his fortress and thus California from Mexican rule. Vallejo, facing an American fleet en route finally acquiesced. The settlers then declared the California Republic a free and sovereign state and raised a new flag in victory. The flag with its grizzly bear, a symbol of fierce determination, was flown until theĀ American flag was happily raised a year later. In 1911 the Bear Flag reemerged and was adopted as the official flag of California.
[ MAP D-11 ]


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