New musical project tells 1800s story of US transcontinental railroad

VOA News: New musical project tells 1800s story of US transcontinental railroad

Rhiannon Giddens is an award-winning artist whose new project tells the story of the U.S. transcontinental railroad — a story told through the eyes of its builders, including African American, Chinese, Japanese, Irish and Native American workers. Nina Vishneva has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Read more.

Listen to "American Railroad" by Silkwood Ensemble and Rhiannon Giddens.  Also check out the American Railroad Podcast!

Lean more about the Transcontinental Railroad

The Transcontinental Railroad was built across the United States, starting after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862 during the Civil War.

Much of the railroad was built on land taken from Native American tribes.  The Central Pacific Railroad built east from Sacramento, California, while the Union Pacific Railroad built west from Omaha, Nebraska.  The two railroads met at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869. Workers from China and Ireland, played a big role in its construction.

The railroad reduced travel across the U.S. from months to weeks or days. At the time, it was one of the longest railroads in the world, and more railroads were built later.

POP QUIZ:

• USCIS 100:89.  What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
• USCIS 100:59.  Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
• USCIS 100:44.  What is the capital of your state?
• Bonus: Sacramento is the capital of California.  What is the capital of Nebraska?
• USCIS 100:75.  What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
• USCIS 100:33.  Who signs bills to become laws?