Monument honoring Chinese railroad workers unveiled

Why it matters: The display recognizes the crucial contributions of Asian Americans in U.S. history.

State of play: The infrastructure project, which kicked off in 1863 and took six years to complete, was treacherous for the estimated 10,000 Chinese laborers, who earned lower wages than white workers, per the National Park Service.

• Chinese laborers encountered deadly working conditions, such as rockslides, avalanches, explosions and violence.
• While the exact number is not known, roughly 1,000 Chinese immigrants died on the job.

Context: The transcontinental railroad connected both U.S. coasts, allowing settlement in the West and spurring economic prosperity.

What they're saying: "Our [ancestors] worked the hardest, grueling work for the lowest pay and often were nameless," state Sen. Karen Kwan, president and CEO of the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association told Axios. "This monument shows that we belong here."