19th century Chinese railway labourers honoured in US
- 10 years ago
Descendants of Chinese immigrant labourers who helped build America’s first transcontinental railway have seen them belatedly, but officially honoured at a ceremony in Washington.
They were integrated into the US Labour Department’s Hall of Honour.
An estimated 12,000 workers made up 85 percent of the force that built the line’s western leg in the 1860s.
They faced dangerous conditions, low pay and social isolation.
They were integrated into the US Labour Department’s Hall of Honour.
An estimated 12,000 workers made up 85 percent of the force that built the line’s western leg in the 1860s.
They faced dangerous conditions, low pay and social isolation.