Los Angeles is a city with a rich and diverse history. From its earliest days as a small village on the banks of the Los Angeles River, to its current status as a major metropolis, the city has seen many changes. But one thing has remained constant: the name Los Angeles. The name Los Angeles is Spanish for “The Angels”, and it has been the official name of the city since at least 1850, when it became an American city.
The city is home to many ethnic groups, including Mexicans, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Salvadorans, Iranians and Armenians. Its main village, Yaangva, flourished on the banks of the Los Angeles River, providing resources such as fish, nutrient-rich land and fresh water before it empties into the Pacific Ocean. The origin of the name Los Angeles is easy to trace. It is a direct translation of los angeles, which in Spanish means “the angels”.
This applies to both residential and professional buildings in and around the city of Los Angeles. The bronze plaque in the square on Olvera Street under the statue of the Spanish king Charles III, who ordered “the founding of El Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles in 1781”, confirms this origin. The inscription on the plaque under the statue of Philip of Neve also confirms this origin. It describes him as “founder of The People of Our Lady the Queen of Los Angeles”.
Father Francisco Palou described how the first settlers founded the future “city of Our Lady of the Angels on the banks of the river called Porciúncula”. During this time, several forms of the original name would be used, including a long version: The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Los Angeles of the Porciúncula River. Today, Los Angeles is a major metropolis with many attractions and activities for visitors and locals alike. It is home to many movie stars and some of the biggest rock bands in US history. The greater Los Angeles area is also home to many cultural attractions such as museums, galleries and theatres.
Studying the history of Los Angeles is something that many people enjoy doing. Talking to locals is one way to learn more about this fascinating city and its past. Grants and donations from historical societies and book lovers have helped to preserve this history by printing books on acid-free paper and distributing them free to colleges, universities and public libraries.
