January 24

California Gold Rush

In 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento, sparking thousands to immigrate West in search of fortune. Though some of these "forty-niners" did find their fortune, many did not.

However, the effects of The California Gold Rush were long lasting and great. San Francisco developed from a shanty town into a full-scale city. From this, government and laws were established, eventually leading to California's admittance as a state only two short years later in 1850.

Though not all the effects were positive. Native people were driven from their homeland, and the mining stripped the land bare. These mining techniques are still used globally and the consequences are detrimental to the environment.

A Way to Celebrate

Reader, what 'gold' has someone else discovered that you are searching for? Many times we admire those who have qualities we wish to possess. In 'panning' for these attributes we often lose sight of what we were looking for in the first place.

What goals are you striving for? If you have not looked at your New Year's Resolutions in a while, now is a good time to read them again. How are you holding up? Have you broken a few? It is never too late to start over.