and mountain men arrested the Mexican general in command at Sonoma, and declared the "Bear Flag Republic" on the Pacific Ocean coast as an independent nation. A flag emblazoned with a bear, a red stripe, a star and the words "California Republic" was raised to symbolize independence from Mexico of the former province of Alta California. The Bear Flag was adopted as California's state flag upon joining the Union as the 31st state in 1850, after being annexed by the United States following the Mexican–American War of 1846–1849. Prominently flying both the US and state flags on June 14 is a tradition for some Californians. Notes References External links Tip for Celebrating Flag Day Tribute to the Flag by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry "Star power: 200 years of change" – USA Today National Flag Day Foundation "Unhappy Flag Day" by Adam Goodheart, New York Times, June 13, 2011. Presidential Proclamations on Flag Day United States Flags of the United States United States flag flying days Observances in the United States by presidential proclamation June observances State holidays in the United States