On May 10, 1869, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central
Pacific railroads met in Promontory, Utah, and drive a ceremonial
last spike into a rail line that connected their railroads.

This made transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first
time in U.S. history. No longer would western-bound travelers
need to take the long and dangerous journey by wagon train.

Thomas Hill’s famous painting “Driving the Last Spike”
features Leland Stanford at the place of honor. The
painting was commissioned by Stanford, who later
refused to pay for it. (California State Railroad Museum)

On December 6, 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers placed
a nine-inch aluminum pyramid inscribed with "Laus Deo,"
meaning praise (be) to God, atop a tower of white marble,
completing the construction of an impressive monument to
the city’s namesake and the nation’s first president, George
Washington (below).        
        
        

A city law passed in 1910 restricted the height of new buildings
to ensure that the monument will remain the tallest structure in Washington, D.C.—a fitting tribute to the man known as the
“Father of His Country.”

On December 6, 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers placed a
nine-inch aluminum pyramid inscribed with "Laus Deo,"
meaning praise (be) to God, atop a tower of white marble,
completing the construction of an impressive monument to
the city’s namesake and the nation’s first president, George
Washington. 

Aluminum apex showing inscriptions on its east (left)
and north (right) faces.

On May 10, 1869, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central
Pacific railroads met in Promontory, Utah, and drive a ceremonial
last spike into a rail line that connects their railroads. This made transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first time in U.S.
history. No longer would western-bound travelers need to take
the long and dangerous journey by wagon train.

On December 14, 1909, workers placed the last of the 3.2 million
10-pound bricks that pave the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana (a town surrounded by the city of Indianapolis).
Since then, most of that brick has been buried under asphalt, but
one yard remains exposed at the start-finish line (below). Kissing
those bricks after a successful race remains a tradition among Indy
drivers.