American Experience
Season 15 Episode 7 - Transcontinental Railroad
6.9 ?
1988
Documentary
Charting the race between the Union Pacific and Central Pacific to construct a transcontinental railroad to link the U.S. It ended May 10, 1869, in Promontory Point, Utah. The construction was "the engineering marvel of the 19th century -- and a flat-out swindle,” says narrator Michael Murphy. It was also "the technological manifestation of Manifest Destiny,” says historian Wendell Huffman, one of the program's commentators. And it sealed the fate of the Plains Indians. When the final spike was in place, Murphy says, "America could take its place as the first nation in the world."
Episodes in Season 15
1
Jimmy Carter (1): Jimmy Who?
55 min
2
Jimmy Carter (2): Hostage
55 min
3
Chicago: City of the Century (1): Mudhole to Metropolis
55 min
4
Chicago: City of the Century (2): The Revolution Has Begun
55 min
5
Chicago: City of the Century (3): Battle for Chicago
55 min
6
The Murder of Emmett Till
55 min
7
Transcontinental Railroad
55 min
NOW PLAYING
8
Partners of the Heart
55 min
9
The Pill
55 min
10
Daughter from Danang
55 min
11
Seabiscuit
55 min
12
Bataan Rescue
55 min
13
Murder at Harvard
55 min
