"What one earth makes someone think that Californians don't know the story?" ~ Ebs

Well, are all Mudcatters Californians?

Is "the story" taught in public schools?

GfS, the Russians have more claim to North America than Spain, if proximity is a criterion.

France also claimed much of it, at one time, and they are at least as close as Spain.

There were only about 700 ethnic Mexicans in California when the Bear Flag Republic was established. There were 5000 Californios who were of Spanish descent and wanted nothing to do with Mexican rule.