California is now 175 years old. See Sacramento’s block party for its birthday
By The Sacramento Bee
California turned 175 on Tuesday, and Sacramento showed up to mark the occasion.
Free cake, music, food trucks and a laser show marked the historic date — Sept. 9, 1850 — when the Golden State was born as the 31st member of the United States of America.
A laser display prepared by the creator of the Sacramento Kings’ “Light the Beam” effects and was planned to feature 31 “laser space cannons.”
Visitors admire bubbles created by Shane Romick of the Aries Moon Circus during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Visitors enjoy free cake during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Visitors admire bubbles created by Shane Romick of the Aries Moon Circus during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Zayn Silmi wears a "Home is Sacramento" jacket during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Sandy, Karya and Sunny Ahuja take a selfie while Juan Flores poses for a photograph during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Erin Blaine of the Aries Moon Circus dances during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
Islay Nicklin of Orange County hoops during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
A laser show illuminates the Sacramento sky over the state Capitol during a 175th birthday block party to celebrate California's anniversary of statehood on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, at the state Capitol. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
Award-winning visual journalist José Luis Villegas first joined The Bee in 1992. He has shared a general news Pulitzer Prize for Bay Area earthquake coverage, and teamed with Bee colleague Marcos Bretón for two books on Latino baseball players.
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