Transcontinental Railroad
On this day in 1869, the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad was completed and linked, by rail, the west to the already established Missouri River region of the country. This allowed for continued expansion and development of the continental United States, but as a result led to the demise of Native American and buffalo herd livelihood.
—
Its completion also led to an anti-Chinese backlash—due to thousands of Chinese workers, who played a pivotal role in building the railroad, demanding higher wages and better working terms—and resulted in the passage of the federal Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the country’s first significant law restricting immigration.
—
A historic moment of pride and prejudice in United States history, 150 years ago today.
Martín Ramírez
For more from the artist, click below: