This Day In History - Transcontinental Railroad Completed 1869

Transcontinental Railroad Completed 1869

Monday, May 10, 2021

All Day

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Event Description

On this day in 1869, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet in Promontory, Utah, and drive a ceremonial last spike into a rail line that connects their railroads. This made transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first time in U.S. history. No longer would western-bound travelers need to take the long and dangerous journey by wagon train, and the West would surely lose some of its wild charm with the new connection to the civilized East.

Event Location

Promontory, Utah