On May 10, 1869, the last spike was driven at Promontory Summit in Utah, signifying the historic completion of the United States’ first transcontinental railroad. Annually, Golden Spike National Historical Park commemorates the Golden Spike Ceremony with a scripted reenactment, which has been carefully transcribed in this book. The first full-scripted reenactment occurred in 1952 and has been an annual observance ever since, growing to include a celebration and recognition of the Chinese railroad workers, who were integral to the completion of the railroad. The Chinese workers were excluded from the champagne toast at the original ceremony after consistently facing inequitable pay and harsher working conditions. This script provides a glimpse into the past of a significant moment in history that left lasting impacts on the region’s peoples and landscapes.
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