The Bear Flag

 Remembrance of Animals Past

Bear Flag: photo by Cliff Hutson

The California grizzly bear (Ursus arctos californicus) is the official state mammal of California. However, the only grizzlies left in the state are on our State flag, t-shirts, and coffee mugs. The last one is said to have been killed in 1920 in the western San Fernando Valley, though accounts vary.

 The "Bear Flag" became the official state flag in 1911. It is based on the banner of the short lived (about three weeks) Bear Flag Republic which was formed when American settlers wrestled the area from Mexico during what is known as the Bear Flag Revolt.