The Transcontinental Railroad

What happened

On 10 May 1869, at Promontory Summit in Utah, a ceremonial golden spike joined the tracks of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, completing the first transcontinental railroad across the United States. Much of the line was built by immigrant labour, including thousands of Chinese workers.

Why it matters

The railroad cut a coast-to-coast journey from months to about a week, binding the United States together and showing how railways could integrate an entire continent.

Sources

• Library of Congress. Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad · Primary source