USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Pacific Railway Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 1, 1862. This act provided Federal government support for the building of the first transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Act aided in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean and secured the use of that line to the government. The legislation authorized two railroad companies, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, to construct the lines.

Detailed explanation-3: -Presidents of all four incarnations of the Union Pacific Railroad: William Butler Ogden (1862–1863) John Adams Dix (1863–1865) Oliver Ames, Jr.

Detailed explanation-4: -On July 1, 1862, after decades of debate and disagreement on the matter, Lincoln brought the transcontinental railroad to life with a stroke of his pen. And with that same stroke, he created Union Pacific.

Detailed explanation-5: -President Ulysses S. President Grant was in office during construction of the transcontinental railroad, and was one of its strongest advocates.