One of the dramatic events of American history took place at Promontory
Point, Utah, on May 10, 1869. On that day a golden spike was driven into
the last stretch of track, and for the first time the East and West were
linked by a railroad. After the spike-driving ceremony, the engineer of
the Central Pacific, which had started east from San Francisco, and the
engineer of the Union Pacific, which had been built west from the
Mississippi, ran their engines up until they touched. Then they shook
hands and broke champagne bottles over each other’s locomotive. There
were speeches before and after, as gangs of Irish and Chinese laborers
joined governors, railroad dignitaries and other notables in celebrating
the momentous occasion.