Why does the California flag say California republic?

Answer 1

Because California was an independent republic for a more 22 days in 1846. William B. Ide was the first and only President. Shortly thereafter, US troops fighting in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) occupied California, thus concluding a brief chapter in independence!

Answer 2

CA became a state on Sept. 9, 1850, but for a short period of time it was a republic. John C Fremont under the orders of President Polk arrested the Mexican governor and took him to be held at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento and declared the Republic of CA. This was when the first CA flag was also made with the bear and the words "the Republic of CA."

Answer 3

Shortly before joining the United States, California was an independent republic, having proclaimed its independence on June 15th of 1846, following a failed attempt by the "Centralist Republic of Mexico" to sell the Alta California territory (streching from the former Republic of Texas to the Pacific Ocean).

After learning that the United States had already claimied the territory and declared war on Mexico, the provisional government disbanded the "California Republic" and supported annexation.

The California Republic lasted only 26 days, with William B. Ide as its first and only President. Its flag portrayed a grizzly bear, one red stripe, a single red star, and the words "California Republic" -- all of which are included in the state flag.