Gold Rush: A period in the mid-19th century when large numbers of people migrated to California due to its discovery of gold. This event significantly impacted social, economic, and environmental dynamics within the region.
Mexican-American War: The conflict between Mexico and the United States from 1846 to 1848 that resulted in Mexico ceding control of California (among other territories) to the United States.
Silicon Valley: A region in Northern California known for its concentration of high-tech companies specializing in computer science, software development, and advanced technology.