Final answer:
Thousands of fortune-seekers traveled to California in 1849 due to the discovery of gold in northern California, known as the California Gold Rush.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thousands of fortune-seekers streamed to California in 1849 because gold was discovered in northern California. This event, known as the California Gold Rush, led to a massive influx of people hoping to strike it rich. The news of gold sparked a feverish excitement, and people from all over the world traveled to California in search of the precious metal.
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