On July 2, 1846, the United States naval vessels Savannah, Cyane, and Levant, under the command of Commodore John Drake Sloat arrived off the coast of Monterey under orders to "take" important California harbors when war was declared with Mexico. On July 7, Sloat's force of some 250 sailors and marines landed and occupoed the city. There was no resistance, and the American flag was raised by Midshipman William P. Toler on the pole at Custom House while a 21-gun salute issued from the ships. The 1946 centennial celebration of this historic event went on for four days, culminating in a re-enactment of the landing and flag raising, which Govenor Earl Warren attended. Major downtown street decorations were made in conjunction with the removal of modern signs. The celebration program included an Indepedence Day military parade and fireworks, visitation by U.S. naval vesels (among them the heavy cruiser St. Paul and the destroyer Rowan), several barbeques, a centennial parade, street dancing, a rodeo at the Monterey Ball Park, band concerts, visiting movie stars (Robert Cummings, Joan Leslie, Leo Carillo, Dennis Day), "water follies" shows at the Pacific Grove pool, search light demonstrations by the naval craft-all amidst a "continuous fiesta" atmosphere. It was estimated by local police that over 90,000 people participated in the celebration.

1 scrapbook; 56 x 11 cm.

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