On May 10, 1869, the United States celebrated the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, marked by the ceremonial driving of the “Golden Spike” at Promontory Summit, Utah. This monumental project connected the eastern U.S. rail network with California, revolutionizing transportation and commerce across the nation. The railroad not only facilitated westward expansion and economic growth but also symbolized the technological and industrial prowess of post-Civil War America, although it also had profound effects on Native American communities and the environment.
