Why is San Francisco important to American History?

San Francisco was the main point of embarkation for World War II's Pacific theater, and the region became a major arms production center. After Pearl Harbor, the city's Japanese residents were forced into internment camps far inland. read more

San Francisco: Mexican Rule, American Takeover In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain, cementing the decline of the mission era. In 1835 an American, William Richardson, became the first permanent resident of Yerba Buena. read more

The Robinson Library >> American History >> United States: Local History and Description >> Pacific States >> California >> San Francisco: Important Dates in San Francisco History. 1542, November 16 Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo sailed along the coast near San Francisco and discovered the Farallones. read more