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Berkeley, California

Located in Alameda County, California, Berkeley was established in 1866. UC Berkeley has produced more Nobel laureates than most countries. Two chemical elements — berkelium and californium — are named for the city and state.

Founded 1866 | Population 118,200 | Peak 118,200 (2024) | County Alameda County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Berkeley, California

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1868UC Berkeley Founded: University of California's first campus.

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1942Manhattan Project: Ernest Lawrence's cyclotron contributes to atomic bomb.

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1964Free Speech Movement: Student protests launch modern campus activism.

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1969People's Park Conflict: Clash over vacant lot becomes symbol of counterculture.

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2000Tech Innovation Hub: UC Berkeley produces tech entrepreneurs and Nobel laureates.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1868 Culture

UC Berkeley Founded

1942 Science

Manhattan Project

1964 Politics

Free Speech Movement

1969 Politics

People's Park Conflict

2000 Science

Tech Innovation Hub

Did You Know?

UC Berkeley has produced more Nobel laureates than most countries.

Two chemical elements — berkelium and californium — are named for the city and state.

The Free Speech Movement at Berkeley in 1964 launched modern student activism.

Berkeley is located in Alameda County, California.

Berkeley was founded in 1866.

Famous People from Berkeley, California

Ben Affleck

Screenwriter, Writer · Born Aug 15, 1972 · Age 53

Ursula K. Le Guin

Screenwriter, Writer · Born Oct 21, 1929 · Died Jan 22, 2018 (age 88)

Rebecca Romijn

Actor, Voice Actor · Born Nov 6, 1972 · Age 53

Mike Dirnt

Singer, Bassist · Born May 4, 1972 · Age 53

Gary Ruvkun

University Teacher, Geneticist · Born Mar 26, 1952 · Age 73

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