Definition of "Oso"

The legacy of the Bear Flaggers lives on in the State of California. The state adopted and proudly flies the bear flag, first designed at Sonoma by the Osos.

1999, Erin H. Turner, It Happened in Northern California‎, page 15

Nevertheless, the Bear Flag Republic was born. Fremont heard of it, and took ninetv men into Sonoma on the excuse of protecting the people there. He hijacked the Bear Flag revolt, calling himself Oso Numero Uno (Number One Bear).

2009, David A. Clary, Eagles and Empire‎

On June 14, 1846, thirty American horsemen known as the Osos (Bears) arrived in Sonoma, under the encouragement of General John Charles Frmont. Americans had ventured into California in the early 1840s to obtain land, but the Mexican government would not allow them to own property or hold offie. The Osos captured General Vallejo at the Sonoma Barracks without violence and proclaimed the California Republic by raising a flag depicting a bear.

2013, Trudy Ring, Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger, editors, The Americas: International Dictionary of Historic Places‎