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The Golden Spike was a special gold nail used to mark the end of the first railroad across the United States. This railroad connected the Central Pacific Railroad from Sacramento, California, with the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha, Nebraska. The spike was placed on May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, joining the east and west parts of the country by train.

David Hewes, a businessman from San Francisco, thought of the idea for the Golden Spike. The spike was made of gold and had special writing on it. There were also other special spikes from Nevada and Arizona. Many people came to see this special event.

After the Golden Spike was put in, it was quickly taken out to keep it safe. It was later given to Stanford University and is now shown at the Cantor Arts Center. This event was a big news story in the United States and made it easier for people to travel and communicate.

What did the Golden Spike mark?
1. The first railroad across the United States
2. The first airplane flight.
3. The first coast-to-coast highway
4. The first cross-country telegraph line
Who came up with the idea for the Golden Spike?
1. The Central Pacific Railroad
2. A businessman
3. Stanford University
4. The passage doesn't say
Where was the Golden Spike put?
1. Nebraska
2. Sacramento, California
3. San Francisco, California
4. Utah
Where is the Golden Spike displayed today?
1. The Smithsonian Museum
2. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum
3. The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University
4. The California State Railroad Museum