American Corner Gyumri

The Gold Rush in California

2:00pm 10.02.2010

On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, U.S. Embassy Political Officer Daniel Hastings delivered a public lecture at the American Corner in Gyumri entitled "The Gold Rush in California." Mr. Hastings started the lecture by introducing himself and speaking a little bit about his experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia from 1992-94.

Then, Mr. Hastings talked about the history of the California Gold Rush, how it began, and what the economic and demographic impacts were, as a result of the great migration of people from eastern states and other countries to California. He introduced famous Gold Rush pioneers Johann August Sutter and James Marshall, who discovered gold in Coloma, California in 1848. Mr. Hastings also discussed famous Gold Rush businessmen Phillip Armour, Levi Strauss and John Studebaker. Participants learned that the most famous celebrity of the Gold Rush era was Samuel Clemens, who is better known worldwide by his literary name Mark Twain. Finally, Mr. Hastings mentioned the early mining industry in the United States and how people lived at the time.

After the presentation, participants asked a wide range of questions. More than 15 people from different universities as well as Peace Corps Volunteers participated in the lecture.