04/23/2026
03/25/2026
The “Beyond Gold: Stories Across Cultures” series continued on April 16, 2026, when
Columbia College hosted an engaging online presentation, “Latinos in the Gold Country,”
featuring Dr. David Hayes-Bautista of UCLA’s Center for the Study of Latino Health
and Culture. A nationally recognized scholar, author, and professor of public health,
Dr. Hayes-Bautista is widely known for his pioneering research on Latino health and
culture in the United States.
His presentation shed light on an important piece of local history: Columbia, California,
was the true birthplace of Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S., tracing the tradition
back to the Gold Rush era. Many attendees were already familiar with the story of
Columbia as the first documented site in California where Cinco de Mayo was spontaneously
celebrated in 1862, following news of the Mexican army’s victory.
Dr. Hayes-Bautista, whose research helped bring this history to light, focused specifically on Tuolumne County. He shared insights from his research, offering a deeper look at Latinos’ cultural and historical significance during the Gold Rush.
This series is a partnership with the Tuolumne County Historical Society, Con Amor: Building Bridges, and the California State Parks.