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California Admission Day 2024 in the United States

September 9 is California Admission Day in the United States. It celebrates the time when California became the 31st state in 1850.

Is California Admission Day a Public Holiday?

This is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day.

California's "Bear Flag", which flew over the White House on September 9, 1924, to honor the date of the state's admission.

California's "Bear Flag", which flew over the White House on September 9, 1924, to honor the date of the state's admission.

©iStockphoto.com/P_Wei

Celebrate California Admission Day

Some state public offices, organizations, businesses, museums and schools have special events to celebrate the state’s history on this day.

Public Life

California Admission Day is a legal observance but most public offices, schools, and businesses generally do not close. However, some municipalities in California observe it as a holiday with closed offices. This includes the City of Monterey, the site of the first California Constitutional Convention, held in 1849.

About California Admission Day

In 1849, leaders from around the future state of California drafted California’s first constitution, which was approved on November 13 that year by a vote of 12,064 to 811. In January, 1850, the State Legislature began its first two-year session. On September 9, 1850, California became the 31st entry into the Union.

On September 9, 1924, California’s “Bear Flag” flew over the White House to honor the date of California’s admission. In 1984, however, Governor George Deukmejian signed legislation changing its observance to a “personal” option. In recent times, Californian governors have made public proclamations, inviting the public to observe the day.

California Admission Day Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday TypeArea
2019MonSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2020WedSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2021ThuSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2022FriSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2023SatSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2024MonSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2025TueSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2026WedSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2027ThuSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2028SatSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
2029SunSep 9California Admission DayState HolidayCalifornia*
* Only some parts of California observe this holiday.

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.