History of Sacramento, California in Timeline
Sacramento, the capital city of California, stands at the junction of the Sacramento and American Rivers. With a population exceeding 524,943 as of 2020, it ranks as the fourth largest city in Northern California and the ninth most populous state capital in the US. The city serves as the seat of California's government, housing both the state legislature and the governor's office.
1900: Significant Snow Accumulations in Downtown Sacramento
Since 1900, downtown Sacramento has experienced only three significant snow accumulations, highlighting the rarity of such events in the city's history.
1924: Notable Events in Sacramento
The year 1924 saw several notable events in Sacramento: Standard Oil executive Verne McGeorge established McGeorge School of Law, American department store Weinstock & Lubin opened a new store, the Senator Hotel was opened, Sacramento's drinking water became filtered and treated, and Sacramento boxer Georgie Lee fought Francisco Guilledo, also known as Pancho Villa, at L Street Auditorium on March 21.
May 6, 1942: Establishment of Sacramento Assembly Center
On May 6, 1942, the Sacramento Assembly Center, also known as the Walerga Assembly Center, was established to house Japanese Americans forcibly relocated from the West Coast under Executive Order 9066.
1943: Repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act, which had discriminated against Chinese immigrants and residents in Sacramento and across the United States, was finally repealed in 1943. This marked a significant moment in the history of Sacramento's Chinatown, which had faced decades of prejudice and hardship due to the act.
1947: End of an Era for Poverty Ridge
1947 marked the end of an era for the Poverty Ridge Historic District in Sacramento. From 1868 to this year, the district held the distinction of being Sacramento's wealthiest neighborhood.
1947: Sacramento State College Founded
Sacramento State College, now known as California State University, Sacramento, was established in 1947, marking a significant development in the city's higher education landscape.
1954: Sacramento State Hornets Football Success
Since 1954, the Sacramento State Hornets football team, competing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as part of the Big Sky Conference, has achieved seven conference titles, participated in four playoff appearances, and played in two bowl games.
June 29, 1963: Arrival of the Motor Vessel Taipei Victory
On June 29, 1963, the Motor Vessel Taipei Victory arrived in Sacramento, marking the first time an ocean-going vessel had docked in the city since 1934.
1964: Sacramento Country Day School Opens
Sacramento Country Day School, affiliated with the California Association of Independent Schools, was established in 1964, providing an alternative educational option for families seeking an independent school experience.
1967: Ronald Reagan Becomes Governor
In 1967, Ronald Reagan became the last Governor of California to reside permanently in Sacramento.
1970: Baseline Demographic Data for Sacramento
The year 1970 serves as a reference point for understanding the demographic changes that occurred in Sacramento over subsequent decades, with Non-Hispanic Whites constituting 71.4% of the population at that time.
1972: Middle of the Road Releases "Sacramento"
Scottish pop group Middle of the Road released their hit song "Sacramento" in 1972, which gained popularity in Europe.
1976: Last Significant Snowfall in Downtown Sacramento
The last time downtown Sacramento experienced significant snow accumulation was in 1976, making it a relatively rare occurrence.
1977: Establishment of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission
The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, originally known as the Sacramento arts council, was founded in 1977 to oversee and support various arts programs within the city.
1978: City of Trees Designation
Sacramento was recognized as a "City of Trees" by the Arbor Day Foundation in 1978, a testament to its extensive urban forest.
1980: Flood in Sacramento
The year 1980 saw another significant flood in Sacramento.
1983: California International Marathon Established
The California International Marathon, established in 1983, attracts elite runners from around the world, offering a fast course and a $50,000 prize purse.
1985: Hugh Scrutton Killed by Unabomber
In 1985, Hugh Scrutton, a computer store owner in Sacramento, California, was tragically killed by a bomb planted by the Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski.
1985: Arrival of the Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings basketball team relocated from Kansas City to Sacramento in 1985.
1988: Masjid Annur, Sacramento's First Islamic School, Founded
Masjid Annur, the first Islamic school in Sacramento, was founded in 1988, catering to the educational needs of the Muslim community.
December 22, 1990: Record Low Temperature in Sacramento
Sacramento experienced its lowest recorded temperature on December 22, 1990, when the mercury plummeted to a frigid 18°F (-7.8°C).
1991: Capitol Casino Opens in Downtown Sacramento
Capitol Casino opened its doors in downtown Sacramento in 1991, offering a variety of card games and becoming a fixture in the city's entertainment scene.
1991: Western Seminary Opens Sacramento Campus
Western Seminary, an evangelical Christian graduate school, established a campus in Sacramento in 1991, expanding its reach and offering theological training to aspiring ministers and religious leaders.
February 1992: Record Rainfall in Sacramento
February 1992 saw Sacramento experience a period of significant rainfall, with 16 consecutive days of rain resulting in an accumulation of 6.41 inches (163 mm).
1996: Unabomber Identified
In 1996, Theodore Kaczynski was identified as the Unabomber, responsible for Hugh Scrutton's death in 1985.
1997: Sacramento Monarchs Join WNBA
The Sacramento Monarchs were established in 1997 as one of the eight founding teams in the newly formed Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
2000: McClellan Airfield Transferred to Sacramento County
In 2000, McClellan Airfield, located in McClellan Park, California, was transferred to Sacramento County.
2000: Return of AAA Minor League Baseball to Sacramento
The year 2000 marked the return of AAA minor league baseball to Sacramento with the establishment of the Sacramento River Cats, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants and formerly associated with the Oakland Athletics.
2001: California State Fair Attracts Over One Million Visitors
The California State Fair in Sacramento achieved a significant milestone in 2001 by drawing over one million attendees, showcasing its enduring popularity.
2002: Sacramento Named "America's Most Diverse City"
In 2002, a study conducted by the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University for Time magazine designated Sacramento as "America's Most Diverse City." This recognition highlighted the city's rich tapestry of cultures and ethnicities.
2003: Construction of the Wells Fargo Pavilion
In 2003, the Wells Fargo Pavilion, a prominent theater venue in Sacramento, was built on the site of the former Music Circus tent foundations.
2004: Sacramento State Enrolls Over 28,000 Students
By 2004, Sacramento State had experienced substantial growth, with an enrollment exceeding 28,000 students across its eight colleges, solidifying its role as a major educational institution.
2005: Sacramento Monarchs Win WNBA Championship
The Sacramento Monarchs achieved the pinnacle of success in 2005 by winning the WNBA Championship, solidifying their place in women's basketball history.
September 2006: Sacramento Designated as Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community
In September 2006, the League of American Bicyclists designated Sacramento as a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community.
2006: California Automobile Museum Showcases Automotive History
The California Automobile Museum, situated south of Old Sacramento, showcases automotive history and vehicles spanning from 1880 to 2006, establishing itself as the oldest non-profit automotive museum in the Western United States.
2006: Leland Stanford Mansion Restoration
The Leland Stanford Mansion underwent a complete restoration in 2006, transforming it into the State's official venue for diplomatic and business functions while also offering the public guided tours of its historical interiors.
2006: Port of Sacramento Faces Challenges and Changes Hands
The Port of Sacramento faced significant operating losses and the threat of bankruptcy in the early 2000s due to competition from the Port of Stockton. In 2006, the city of West Sacramento assumed control of the Port of Sacramento.
2007: Art Institute of California - Sacramento Established
The Art Institute of California - Sacramento opened its doors in 2007, offering specialized education in commercial arts, but has since closed.
2007: Founding of the Sacramento Horror Film Festival
The Sacramento Horror Film Festival was established in 2007 to showcase feature-length and short films in the horror and macabre genres, alongside live musical and theatrical performances.
2007: Sacramento Valley Rail Station Renovated
The Sacramento Valley Rail Station, a central transportation hub connecting Amtrak and Sacramento Regional Transit District Light Rail services, underwent significant renovations in 2007.
November 2009: Sacramento Monarchs Fold
The Sacramento Monarchs, a founding member of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1997 and champion in 2005, ceased operations in November 2009.
2009: Sacramento Area Schools Employ Thousands of Teachers
As of 2009, the Sacramento area's public school districts employed a substantial number of educators, with over 9,600 elementary and 7,410 middle school teachers.
2009: Record Attendance at Sacramento Museum Day
Sacramento Museum Day in 2009 drew a record-breaking crowd of over 80,000 attendees, underscoring the popularity of this annual event that offers free admission to 26 museums in the greater Sacramento area.
2010: California Drought Strains Sacramento's Water Security
Beginning in 2010, California experienced statewide droughts that put increasing pressure on Sacramento's water security.
2010: Demographic Shifts in Sacramento
By 2010, there was a notable shift in Sacramento's demographics, with Non-Hispanic Whites making up 34.5% of the population, a significant decrease from 71.4% in 1970.
2010: Capital Stage's Final Season Aboard the Delta King
Capital Stage, a renowned theater company, concluded its tenure aboard the Delta King at the end of the 2010–2011 season.
2010: Crocker Art Museum Expansion
In 2010, the Crocker Art Museum completed a major expansion project that tripled its floor space, increasing its exhibit space to over 145,000 square feet and further solidifying its position as a prominent cultural institution.
2010: United States Census Records Sacramento's Population
The 2010 United States Census recorded Sacramento's population at 466,488, providing a snapshot of the city's demographic makeup at that time.
2010: California State Fair Moves to July
The California State Fair, held annually in Sacramento, shifted its traditional end-of-summer schedule to July in 2010.
2011: Sacramento Ranked 24th Most Walkable City
A 2011 study by Walk Score, assessing the pedestrian-friendliness of urban areas, ranked Sacramento as the 24th most walkable city out of the 50 largest in the United States.
2011: Capital Stage's Move to J-Street Corridor
Following its departure from the Delta King, Capital Stage established a new venue along the vibrant J-Street corridor in 2011.
2012: Sacramento Adopts "America's Farm-to-Fork Capital" Marketing Campaign
In 2012, Sacramento launched a marketing campaign promoting itself as "America's Farm-to-Fork Capital," highlighting the city's abundance of restaurants sourcing ingredients from local farms and the annual Farm-to-Fork festival.
2012: First Aftershock Festival
The inaugural Aftershock Festival, a four-day music extravaganza featuring acclaimed bands like Evanescence, Kiss, and Muse, took place at Discovery Park in 2012, drawing a massive audience of up to 160,000 attendees.
January 21, 2013: Proposed Relocation of the Sacramento Kings
On January 21, 2013, a controlling interest in the Sacramento Kings was sold to hedge fund manager Chris Hansen, who aimed to relocate the franchise to Seattle for the 2013–2014 NBA season, rebranding them as the Seattle SuperSonics.
May 16, 2013: NBA Vote to Keep the Kings in Sacramento
On May 16, 2013, the NBA Board of Governors voted 22–8 in favor of keeping the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, thwarting the proposed relocation to Seattle.
2013: Sacramento's Park System Ranked Third Best
In 2013, The Trust for Public Land's ParkScore ranking placed Sacramento's park system, encompassing over 5,000 acres, as the third best among the 50 most populous U.S. cities, tied with San Francisco and Boston.
2013: Sacramento Heatwave Ceases Operations
The Sacramento Heatwave, a professional basketball team in the American Basketball Association, stopped playing in the Sacramento area in 2013.
April 2014: Sacramento Republic FC's Inaugural Game
Sacramento Republic FC, a professional soccer team, played their inaugural game in April 2014 at Hughes Stadium, drawing a sellout crowd of 20,231 and establishing a USL Pro regular-season single-game attendance record.
2014: Threatened Relocation of the Sacramento Kings
Hedge fund manager Chris Hansen, who had purchased a controlling interest in the Sacramento Kings, planned to move the team to Seattle for the 2013-2014 NBA season.
2015: University of the Pacific Expands Sacramento Campus
The University of the Pacific significantly expanded its presence in Sacramento in 2015, transforming its Oak Park campus into a comprehensive graduate and professional education center.
September 30, 2016: Golden 1 Center Opens
On September 30, 2016, Sacramento's Golden 1 Center, a new arena built with the support of the city and the Sacramento Kings' owner, Vivek Ranadivé, officially opened.
2016: Darrell Steinberg Elected Mayor of Sacramento
Darrell Steinberg assumed office as the mayor of Sacramento in 2016, bringing his leadership and vision to the city's governance.
2016: Downtown Commons Opens
Downtown Commons (DOCO), a new district in Sacramento, opened in 2016, along with the Golden 1 Center. This district features a variety of attractions, including the Sawyer skyscraper, a Macy's store, an IMAX theater, and numerous shops and restaurants.
2016: Sacramento's Emerging Contemporary Culture
In 2016, Sacramento earned recognition for its evolving contemporary culture, even being ranked as the fourth most "hipster city" in the United States in a poll, highlighting its growing appeal among those seeking a vibrant and trendy urban environment.
2016: Inception of the Wide Open Walls Festival
The Wide Open Walls Festival, an annual celebration of street art and muralism, was first held in 2016, transforming Sacramento's urban landscape with over 140 murals created by artists worldwide.
2017: Growth of Sacramento's Microbrewery Scene
By 2017, Sacramento's craft beer industry had flourished, boasting over 60 microbreweries in the region and hosting numerous beer festivals, including the annual California Beer Craft Summit.
2017: Water Tower Slogan Change
In 2017, a prominent water tower in Sacramento had its slogan changed from "City of Trees" to "America's Farm-to-Fork Capital." However, after facing backlash from residents, officials decided to include both slogans.
2017: Conclusion of the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee
The Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, a renowned Dixieland jazz festival held annually during Memorial Day weekend, came to an end in 2017 after decades of entertaining jazz enthusiasts from around the globe.
2018: B Street Theatre's Relocation
The B Street Theatre completed its relocation to the newly established Sophia Tsokopoulos Center for the Arts in 2018.
October 2019: Republic FC's MLS Bid Approved
In October 2019, Republic FC's bid for expansion into Major League Soccer was approved, with the team initially slated to begin MLS play in the 2022 season.
2019: Sacramento International Airport Serves Over 13 Million Passengers
In 2019, Sacramento International Airport served over 13 million passengers.
2019: Sacramento Theatre Company's 75th Anniversary
In 2019, the Sacramento Theatre Company, a prominent performing arts organization, prepared to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
2020: New Amtrak Service Planned Through Midtown Sacramento
An additional Amtrak service, part of the San Joaquins route, was planned to run through Midtown Sacramento in 2020, enhancing connectivity within the city.
2020: Altamont Corridor Express Commuter Rail Service Expected
In 2020, the Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail service was expected to be routed through Sacramento, utilizing the Union Pacific's Sacramento Subdivision.
February 26, 2021: Republic FC's MLS Bid on Hiatus
As of February 26, 2021, Republic FC's bid for Major League Soccer expansion was put on indefinite hiatus.
2021: Museum of Science and Curiosity Opens in Sacramento
Adding to Sacramento's diverse museum landscape, the Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) opened its doors in 2021, housed within the restored historic power station building of Matsui Waterfront Park.
September 6, 2022: Record High Temperature in Sacramento
On September 6, 2022, Sacramento experienced its highest recorded temperature, reaching a scorching 116°F (46.7°C).
2022: Republic FC's MLS Debut Postponed
Republic FC's entry into Major League Soccer, initially planned for the 2022 season, was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023: Top Employers in Sacramento County
As of 2023, Sacramento County boasts a diverse range of top employers, contributing significantly to the local economy.
2023: City of Sacramento Has 14 Sister Cities
As of 2023, the City of Sacramento had 14 sister cities.
2023: Republic FC's Anticipated MLS Debut
Republic FC's debut in Major League Soccer is anticipated in the 2023 season, following a postponement from the original 2022 start date.
