The telegraph line between Omaha and Sacramento is completed linking coast to coast

Edward Creighton had in early July personally dug the first post hole for his Transcontinental Telegraph linking Omaha, Nebraska with Sacramento, California. Less than four months later, with Western Union funding, this final link across the continent was completed and the first telegraph message sent coast to coast.  The Pony Express ceased operations two days later.  (By John Osborne)