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The California gold rush: an American story

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The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall. All told, the news of gold brought some 300,000 new people to California. Learn about the allure of quick money and the hardships those mineral wealth seekers endured (as well as the bad decisions they made).

How did the gold rush contribute to the diversity of the region of California?

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