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)

             
SANDY KOZEL

On November 14, 1832, New York City’s New York and Harlem
company premiered the nation’s first horse-drawn street car. 

The street car made its debut on Bowery and Fourth Avenue in Manhattan, between Prince and 14th Street, it marked New
York’s first-ever mass transit offering. Within two weeks,
passengers were charged 12.5 cents a ride.

ED DANAHUE

Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen
(December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000)

ED DONAHUE

The Tonight Show (TV Series 1953–1957)

Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen
(December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000)