Despite a ban against slavery in the 1849 constitution, many slaves brought into California after statehood, like Biddy Mason, remained in bondage. In 1856, a California judge granted Mason her freedom. She became a wealthy property owner and philanthropist in Los Angeles. Courtesy Security Pacific Collection / Los Angeles Public Library
In 1968, Castro inspired thousands of Chicano students to stage school "blowouts," or walkouts, to protest discrimination in education
White House tells Supreme Court that California's Proposition 8 is based on impermissible prejudice and violates the federal constitution
Adams (right) married his Australian partner, Tony Sullivan (left), in 1975 and brought a lawsuit after the Immigration and Naturalization Service refused to recognize the couple as married.
Watch an appearance by Elaine Elinson and Stan Yogi on KPIX's "Bay Sunday" program with host Sydnie Kohara.
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