The Bear Flag Revolt: How California Became a Republic
In June 1846, a group of American settlers in Sonoma declared independence from Mexico and raised a homemade flag featuring a grizzly bear and a lone star. Though the California Republic lasted only 25 days before being absorbed into the United States during the Mexican-American War, the Bear Flag became an enduring symbol of Californian identity and self-determination. The flag's grizzly represents courage and strength — values that $BEARCOIN carries into the digital age.