The “champagne photo” is re-created during a celebration marking the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad at Golden Spike National Historic Park near Corrine, Box Elder County, on Monday, May 10, 2021. Annie Barker, Deseret News
By Deseret News Photographers

It was on this date 152 years ago today, that the world changed at Promontory Summit in Utah’s Box Elder County.

On May 10, 1869, one of the greatest technological achievements of the 19th century — the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States — occurred when the Union Pacific Railroad and the Central Pacific Railroad met as one to transform a nation reeling from the aftermath of the Civil War.

That historic feat was commemorated during a celebration Monday at Golden Spike National Historic Park. The celebration included reenactments of the original 1869 ceremony, steam locomotive demonstrations, a recreation of the historic “champagne photo,” and special exhibits of historic objects found along the railroad. 

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A silver maul is used to tap a replica of the golden spike into a rail at Golden Spike National Historic Park near Corrine, Box Elder County, on Monday, May 10, 2021. Visitors gathered at the park to mark the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad and to watch a reenactment of the 1869 ceremony. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Actors pray during a reenactment of the driving of the golden spike at Golden Spike National Historic Park near Corrine, Box Elder County, on Monday, May 10, 2021. Visitors gathered at the park to mark the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad and to watch a reenactment of the 1869 ceremony. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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An actor holds ups two golden spikes during a reenactment of the driving of the golden spike at Golden Spike National Historic Park near Corrine, Box Elder County, on Monday, May 10, 2021. Visitors gathered at the park to mark the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad and to watch a reenactment of the 1869 ceremony. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Actors wait as the locomotives return to their positions so a ceremony marking the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad can continue at Golden Spike National Historic Park near Corrine, Box Elder County, on Monday, May 10, 2021. Visitors gathered at the park to mark the anniversary and to watch a reenactment of the 1869 ceremony. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Visitors watch as locomotives move along the track during a celebration marking the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad at Golden Spike National Historic Park in Corrine on Monday, May 10, 2021. Visitors gathered at the park to mark the anniversary and to watch a reenactment of the 1869 ceremony. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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A train operator walks along the length of the locomotives during a celebration marking the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad at Golden Spike National Historic Park in Corrine on Monday, May 10, 2021. Visitors gathered at the park to mark the anniversary and to watch a reenactment of the 1869 ceremony. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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An actor portraying Union Pacific Railroad Chief Engineer and former Civil War Gen. Dodge holds up a silver maul during a reenactment of the driving of the golden spike at Golden Spike National Historic Park near Corrine, Box Elder County, on Monday, May 10, 2021. Visitors gathered at the park to mark the 152nd anniversary of the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad and to watch a reenactment of the 1869 ceremony. | Annie Barker, Deseret News
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