Music: Union Pacific

When in May 1869, on a bare shoulder of Utah the late great Leland Stanford swung a silver maul at a golden spike (which he missed), history was made. The fire bell in Sacramento rolled to the rope. The first of 220 cannon shots was fired on Fort Hill, San Francisco. A two-mile parade stumbled into step in Omaha. Decorations blazed from the wooden lamp posts of Chicago. The chimes-master of Trinity Church at the head of Wall Street in New York played "Old Hundred" on his clanking choir, and President U. S....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!