The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. This event triggered a massive influx of people, known as forty-niners, who traveled to California in search of wealth. The population of California grew rapidly as thousands of prospectors and settlers arrived, hoping to strike it rich. The Gold Rush significantly impacted California's economy and society, leading to its rapid admission as the 31st state in 1850. It also contributed to the development of infrastructure, such as roads and towns, while also causing conflicts with Native American populations and environmental changes due to mining activities.