The Gold Rush in California: Would You Catch Gold Fever?

On January 24, 1848, gold was discovered near Sutter's Mill in California. These first few gold nuggets would change history. Soon after the discovery, thousands of people moved west. By sea, gold seekers faced fierce storms; by land, they were sometimes attacked by American Indians. Once in California, miners did not always find gold. They had to spend hours looking for it in bone-chilling water. Do you think this was worth it? Would you leave your family to try to strike it rich? What would YOU do?