The Republic of the Pig-Bear

A Humorous Rebellion in Sonoma! On June 14, 1846, a group of about 30 American settlers in California decided to kickstart a revolution against Mexican rule. They marched into the town of Sonoma, captured the local garrison without firing a single shot, and surrounded the home of General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. However, instead of a dramatic standoff, the 'revolt' took a polite turn: the General invited the leaders, including William Ide and Ezekiel Merritt, into his home to discuss the surrender over wine and breakfast. While the leaders were inside enjoying their meal, the soldiers outside got restless and decided they needed a national identity. Using a white cotton sheet and some red paint, they created the first California Republic flag. They wanted to paint a fierce grizzly bear to symbolize strength, but because the artist, William L. Todd (Mary Todd Lincoln's nephew), wasn't exactly a professional, the 'grizzly' looked remarkably like a common pig. Local Californios were less than intimidated, reportedly bursting into laughter at the 'Pig Flag.' Despite the artistic fail, the Bear Flag Republic lasted 25 days, and that famous pig-bear eventually evolved into the official state flag of California!