On May 10th, 1869 in Promontory, Utah, the First Transcontinental Railroad across North America officially opened for through traffic with the driving in of the last “Golden Spike” which formally joined the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroad routes. While the participation of Chinese workers has been documented, their sacrifice and hardship have not been well publicized. Over 600 miles of the most hazardous part of the Central Pacific route was built by about 12,000 Chinese workers, the majority of whom were originally from the Canton province. They toiled in extremely harsh condition and accomplished a seemingly impossible mission. They helped lay ten miles of track in one day, setting a railroad record that has not been matched even in the modern era. Despite this feat, only the names of 8 Irish workers were recorded by the railroad company while the several thousand Chinese workers were forgotten. In total, nearly 2000 lives were lost during the railroad construction though this is likely an underestimate. We can say for certain that the First Transcontinental Railroad was built on the bones of Chinese laborers.
2019 marks the 150th anniversary of that historical moment in Promontory, Utah. In honor of those heroic Chinese workers we are pleased to announce the official establishing of the Utah Chinese Golden Spike Celebration Committee (UCGSCC).
1869年5月10日，第一条横贯北美大陆的州际铁路在犹他北部正式合龙通车，而其中中央太平洋铁路中最艰难的一千多公里路段则主要由超过一万两千名以广东籍为主的华工在恶劣的工作环境中艰苦奋斗、并付出近两千条性命代价而修成，以致于流传这样的感叹：“太平洋铁路每一条枕木下面，都有一具华人的尸骨”。然而凭借华工坚忍卓绝的努力与智慧，不仅在期限内完成这项几乎不可能的伟大工程，並创造了一日铺设10英里铁轨的记录。
这条铁路的修建为美国早期建设的迅猛发展发挥了巨大作用。东西交通的进步将东部人力及西部物资的运输由搭乘马车所需一个月的时间缩短至火车的一周，大大地促进了美国东西部的繁荣与发展。然而，一百多年来，那些为该铁路的修建、为美国经济的腾飞作出重大贡献与牺牲的华工们却鲜为人知，美国历史文献中也很难找到关于华工和其贡献的记载。
早期那一万数千名华工和今天生活在美国的华人同胞一样，都是中华儿女，都是中华民族的成员。这些离乡背井的新老华人移民，历来热爱和平，勤奋努力，爱家爱国。今天我们不但要纪念那些筑路的华人先驱，更要延续他们的精神，与社会各族裔携手奋斗，为今天的我们和明天的华人后代们共同创造更美好的明天。
为了纪念美国州际铁路贯通150周年，犹他华人金钉协会等犹他州主要华人团体共同发起“犹他华人纪念州际铁路贯通150周年”系列活动，并正式成立了系列活动组委会。同时邀请了当地以及中美双方政商侨学界知名人士作为顾问。
We are planning a series of activities and events to celebrate the 150th Golden Spike anniversary. Activities include rebuilding of the Salt Lake City Historical Chinatown, lectures about the contribution of these Chinese railroad workers, academic forums featuring the past, present, and future of Chinese Americans, attending the official reenactment ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary at Promontory Summit and taking group picture, the Golden Spike artwork exhibition which includes photographs, sculptures, paintings, and other artifacts, cultural performances on the history of construction of the Transcontinental Railroad; and special events for economic and trade exchanges. We will also invite children to join in the celebration by submitting pieces of art and literature to help remember our Chinese pioneers.
“犹他华人纪念州际铁路贯通150周年”系列活动将为时一年多，主要内容包括：
- 金订铁路华工纪念碑的制作和安置，及盐湖城旧中国城重建
- 华人先驱贡献宣讲会
- 在美华人的过去、现在和未来的学术研讨会；
- 金钉遗址公园“接轨仪式重演”150周年庆典的参与及金钉遗址公园大合影；
- 摄影、美术和儿童文艺作品比赛等相关文化展览；
- 经贸交流活动；
- 大型文艺晚会；
- 更多。。。
With the hope that people of all racial and ethnic origins will come celebrate together, let us extend our most sincere invitation to all societies and organizations here in the US to join in our effort to sponsor these grand ceremonial activities. We also welcome donations from individuals, societies, and businesses. Please contact the Committee for sponsorship opportunities or if you have any questions. Tel: 801-928-7766, Email: UTCCGS150@gmail.com。
我们怀着团结最广大华人同胞和各族裔朋友的愿望，秉持志同道合的原则，诚邀美国各地华人团体与各界有识之士加盟，共襄盛举。组委会也热诚欢迎个人、团体、商家及企业公益捐助。有意加盟或赞助的团体与朋友请联系组委会，电话：801-928-7766，邮箱：UTCCGS150@gmail.com。
“犹他华人纪念州际铁路贯通150周年”系列活动组委会
UCGSCC
2018年9月28日