Berlin Wall

At the end of World War II in Europe (May 1945), the four victorious allies, the United States (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), France and the Soviet Union, divided both Germany and its capital Berlin into four sectors for purposes of a temporary occupation of the defeated aggressor.  

Eventually, the three sectors occupied by the USA, the UK and France formed what came to be known as West Germany.  The fourth sector came to be known as East Germany.

Berlin was physically located inside East Germany.  However, the three sectors occupied by the USA, UK and France became known as West Berlin, politically separate from both East and West Germany.  East Berlin (former Soviet sector) was the capital of East Germany.

Germans who did not like living in East Germany had difficulty fleeing the country.  However, once in East Berlin, it was easy for them to go to West Berlin and from there to West Germany.

Young, educated East Germans started leaving their country in droves during the 1950s.  On August 13, 1961, to stop this mass emigration, the East German government started building a wall that would completely divide East and West Berlin and prevent movement between the two halves of the city.

In the summer of 1973, my first wife Bonita and I, while on a European vacation, travelled by train from Copenhagen, Denmark to West Berlin.  Before arriving at our destination, we had to travel through East Germany and East Berlin.

Before leaving the East Berlin station, border guards entered the train and checked everyone's travel documents.  I remember the fear of the faces of the West Berliners I talked to on the train.  Outside the train, I saw and heard armed guards and dogs searching for those trying to illegally escape East Berlin and enter West Berlin.

One day while staying in West Berlin, we decided to visit East Berlin.  We went through the Berlin Wall at a gate known as "Checkpoint Charlie."  American soldiers pointed rifles at their counterparts on the other side of the Wall who were pointing their rifles back at them.  

Nearby was a small building where East German officials processed one day visas for tourists entering East Berlin.  After spending a few hours on the gloomy other side of the Wall, we returned to that same building where we surrendered our passports for permission to leave East Berlin.  Bonita's came back quickly.  I waited for another anxious 30 minutes for mine.  Why the difference?  Who knows?  I was just glad to get out of there.

On June 12, 1987 (35 years ago), US President Ronald Reagan visited West Berlin and delivered a famous speech calling out the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.  Below is an excerpt.  

"General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

On November 9, 1989, as the East German government started to crumble, the Berlin Wall also started to crumble.  Berlin and Germany became united for the first time since the end of WWII. 

Bullitt

 Bullitt is a 1968 action thriller, police drama film which starred Steve McQueen, an actor known as "Mr. Cool."  The film received one Academy Award: Frank Keller for Best Editing.  

San Francisco police Detective Frank Bullitt (McQueen) and his team are assigned the job of protecting a government witness (a Chicago gangster).  While two of his team are guarding the witness in a cheap hotel, two assassins arrive and fire shots, leaving the witness gravely wounded.

Bullitt starts investigating how the hitmen knew where the government witness was hiding out.  While driving his Ford Mustang, he becomes aware he is being followed by two men in a Dodge Charger.  

Bullitt is able to get behind the other car and starts following it.  An extended chase ensues lasting almost eleven action packed minutes along the extremely hilly streets of San Francisco.  Eventually, the Dodge Charger crashes into a fiery ball, leaving its occupants dead.  

Film critic Leonard Maltin called the car chase "a classic, one of the screen's all-time best."  Emanuel Levy, another critic, wrote that "Bullitt contains one of the most exciting car chases in film history, a sequence that revolutionized Hollywood's standards."

Steve McQueen was born in a small town in Indiana in 1930.  In 1958, he became a household name in America with the success of his TV western series Wanted: Dead or Alive, playing a bounty hunter.

Some of McQueen's other films are The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Love With the Proper Stranger, The Cincinnati Kid, The Sand Pebbles, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Getaway, Papillon, The Towering Inferno and Tom Horn.

Sadly, Steve McQueen died in 1980 while in Mexico (seeking medical treatment) as a result of cancer from asbestos exposure.  He was only fifty years old.

In the 2019 film, Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood, Steve McQueen was more than ably portrayed by English actor Damien Lewis.  

    

Abraham's Son, Chapter 5

EXT. IN FRONT OF HER CHURCH ­ DAY

SARA approaches and enters her church for Sunday morning mass.

INT. CHURCH ­ DAY

SARA enters church with mass in progress.  She finds a place to sit down and participates in service.  She takes communion when offered.  At conclusion of service, she walks over to talk to the FATHER, thin middle­-aged man, who greets her warmly.

SARA: Good morning, FATHER. 

FATHER: Good morning, Sara.  How are you today? 

SARA: Can we talk, FATHER? 

FATHER: Of course, let's sit over here.

They sit down on a nearby bench.

FATHER: How can I help you, my child?

SARA: I'm conflicted, FATHER.  As I've told you, I needed to leave my family in Michigan, but it's not easy to make a new life here, finding purpose, companionship, love.  It's getting better.  Work is good.  I make enough.  Every day I'm feeling more comfortable in the community, especially in your church.  

FATHER: Our church, SARA. 

SARA: I know.  But there are some things missing.  I'm not an outgoing person, never have been.  I'm afraid.  I have always been afraid, of so many things.  I don't want to be, but it seems it's my nature.  

FATHER: I don't believe it is your nature, SARA.  Fear is part of the human experience, but it can be overcome, with courage.  Always remember that God loves you and God is always with you.  But he needs you to use your strength to overcome your fears.  If you will try, God will help you.  Can you do that, SARA? 

SARA I try, FATHER.  I'll keep trying.  I try to meet others half way, but, I don't know, something seems to happen and I withdraw.  Last night, I was invited to go out with a couple of friends from work.  Before I could think, the word "no" jumped out of my mouth. No!  And then I went home and watched a movie alone.  I enjoy movies, but I don't enjoy being alone so much.    

FATHER: Think about why you said no last night. 

SARA: I guess I was afraid of what might happen.  Maybe they'd snicker about my clothes or makeup.  I suppose we'd go to some bar and drink.  I'm not really into that.  Drinking caused problems at home when I was a kid.  And then probably guys would hit on us.  My friends want that, but I'm always suspicious of men.  It's like I fear men, not you FATHER, but most men I meet.  I'd like to find a nice man who I could talk to, be with, who would want to be with me.  

FATHER: That's normal.  You haven't met the right type of man yet.  Here at the church, there are such young men.  Perhaps I could introduce you to some.   Would you like that, SARA? 

SARA: How would that work, FATHER? 

FATHER: Let me talk with some single men in our congregation to see if they might be interested in meeting a nice young woman such as yourself.  Come back next Sunday and I'll let you know what I find.  But, SARA, sometimes you have to go more than half­way with people.  You have to find the courage to overcome your fears.  Can you do that? 

SARA I'll try, FATHER. 

FATHER: Pray to God for help, SARA.  He loves you and is always with you.  

SARA: See you next Sunday, FATHER.  Bye.

SARA rises and leaves church. 

EXT. BUS STOP ­ DAY

Later that day, SARA waits for bus.  Bus arrives and SARA enters bus. 

EXT. BUS ­ DAY

SARA sits on bus and bus heads toward cinema.

EXT. BUS STOP ­ DAY

Bus arrives at bus stop near cinema.  SARA leaves bus and walks toward cinema. 

EXT. PARKING LOT ­ DAY

ABRAHAM arrives in his car at parking lot near cinema, parks car, leaves car and walks toward cinema.

EXT. IN FRONT OF CINEMA ­ DAY

SARA and ABRAHAM line up to buy tickets at cinema. 

SARA: One for the 2:00 showing in room one, please. 

CASHIER: $15. 

SARA pays, receives ticket and enters cinema. 

ABRAHAM: Senior for 2:00 movie in room number one, please.

CASHIER: $10.

ABRAHAM pays, receives ticket and enters cinema.

INT. LOBBY OF CINEMA ­ DAY

SARA and ABRAHAM separately walk towards room one and enter.

INT. ROOM ONE ­ DAY

SARA and ABRAHAM separately find a place to sit and watch movie.  Movie starts and subsequently ends.  SARA and ABRAHAM exit room and cinema. 

EXT. ON STREET NEAR CINEMA ­ DAY

ABRAHAM arrives at nearby coffee shop and enters.

INT. COFFEE SHOP ­ DAY

ABRAHAM sits at table in crowded coffee shop.  He signals to waitress who approaches.  

ABRAHAM: Regular coffee, please. 

SARA soon arrives at coffee shop, but all tables are occupied.  She nervously waits for a table to open up.  ABRAHAM notices her situation and tries to get her attention.

ABRAHAM: Miss, would you like to sit at my table? 

SARA: You sure? 

ABRAHAM: Sure!

SARA reluctantly sits down at ABRAHAM's table.  ABRAHAM signals to waitress who approaches SARA. 

SARA: Decafe, please.

ABRAHAM and SARA nervously sit at same table and wait for coffee orders to arrive.  When coffees finally arrive, the two start drinking them.  ABRAHAM studies SARA's face.

ABRAHAM: Excuse me, but I think I know you.

SARA looks at ABRAHAM with a quizzical expression. 

SARA (thinking for a moment):  Yeah, I believe I waited on you yesterday at the Blue Bay Diner on Francis Lewis Boulevard.

ABRAHAM: That's it.  What a coincidence...You work there long?

SARA: About a year. 

ABRAHAM: You like it there? 

SARA: Yeah.  The managers are nice and the tips are good. 

ABRAHAM: It seems like a tough job dealing with customers who want their food great and right away.

SARA Well, it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it.  Been doin' it since after high school. 

ABRAHAM: Which high school?  I went to Cardozo in Bayside.

SARA: No, I'm not from here.  I went to Community High in Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

ABRAHAM Oh, nice.  Why did you move here? 

SARA: You know, "if you can make it there..." 

ABRAHAM: I wouldn't know.  I was born and raised right here.

SARA: What do you do? 

ABRAHAM: I'm an accountant at White Rock Beverages.  You carry them at Blue Bay. 

SARA Yeah, I know.  Sorry, but I prefer Coke. 

ABRAHAM No problem.  So, you live around here? 

SARA No, I came for the movie.  

ABRAHAM: Really?  Which one? 

SARA: Bridge of Spies, the 2:00 show. 

ABRAHAM: Wow!  Me, too.  Another coincidence.  Did you like it?

SARA: Yeah.  I go to all Tom Hanks movies.  I think he's great.

ABRAHAM: I agree.  I really enjoyed this one because it was based on a true story I read about in college.  I always love when they say, "based on a true story."  10% or 90%.  Who knows? 

SARA: I didn't know anything about the spy thing, but I especially liked the part in Berlin. 

ABRAHAM: My wife and I were in Berlin in '83 and passed through Check Point Charley, from West to East and thankfully back again.  Scary! 

SARA: You married?  Where's your wife? 

ABRAHAM: Oh...ah...she died many years ago.  Her name's HELEN.  

SARA: I'm so sorry.  (pause)  Did you enjoy your trip to Berlin?

ABRAHAM: Yeah.  We were young then, in our twenties.  Traveled around Europe for a month, Paris, Rome, Copenhagen and Berlin.  Never been back. 

SARA: I've never been anywhere except here and Michigan.  And it took some courage to come here. 

ABRAHAM: Why did you want to leave Michigan? 

SARA: It's a long story.  Just needed to get away from the same old, same old.  Especially my family.  Sometimes, it was like I couldn't breathe.  Wanted my own space. 

ABRAHAM: I never had that problem.  I grew up here, almost in this neighborhood.  My parents encouraged me to go out on my own, but when I did, I didn't go far.  (pause) You know, one thing in the movie I especially liked was when the lawyer asked his client, "Are you worried?" and he said, "Would it help?" 

SARA: Yeah, that happened a few times.  

ABRAHAM: It made me think.  What's the point of worrying?  It doesn't help. 

SARA: I guess you're right. 

ABRAHAM: By the way, my name is ABRAHAM SHAPIRO.  What's yours? 

SARA: SARA CASEY.  Pleased to meet you, ABRAHAM. 

ABRAHAM: Likewise.  You said you like Tom Hanks movies.  What's your favorite? 

SARA: There's so many to choose, but I'd say Forest Gump.  He was so adorable.  What about you?

ABRAHAM: My favorite is Road to Perdition.  I liked the relationship with his son and also because of the great Paul Newman.  I saw him live in a play once. 

SARA: That's so cool. 

ABRAHAM: Yeah, a lot of movie stars, when they're not doing movies, they act on Broadway. 

SARA: You know, a friend told me Paul Newman was a Jew.  Is that right? 

ABRAHAM: Well, his father was Jewish and he always considered himself to be a Jew, even though he didn't practice the religion.  Is that a problem? 

SARA: No, no, not at all.  I was just curious.  I didn't know.

ABRAHAM: What about Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and ABRAHAM SHAPIRO?  All Jews. 

SARA: You're a Jew?  

ABRAHAM: Yes. 

SARA: Wow!  You're the first Jew I've met, ever talked to. 

ABRAHAM: I'm sure you have talked to many, especially at the Blue Bay Diner.  Many Jews live in the neighborhood and frequent the place.  No Jews in Ypsilanti? 

SARA: Not that I was aware.  Not in my neighborhood.  Not among the kids I hung out with.  And certainly not at the Catholic church I went to regular.  But I'm real glad to have met one today, ABRAHAM.  You know, in that movie you mentioned, Road to Perdition, Paul Newman plays an Irish Catholic gangster so well, I thought he was Irish Catholic, like me. 

ABRAHAM: That's just good acting on Newman's part.  But don't worry.  Think about James Cagney, Spencer Tracy and Maureen O'Hara to name a few with Irish Catholic roots. 

SARA: I know all those names from TCM.  

ABRAHAM: You watch TCM? 

SARA: All the time, my favorite channel. 

ABRAHAM: Me, too.  Another coincidence.  ROBERT OSBORNE is such a fountain of information.  Say, SARA, I'm getting hungry.  I'm gonna order some pie.  Would you like something, too?

SARA: Sure, if you are.

ABRAHAM signals to the waitress who comes over to the table.

WAITRESS: What can I get you folks? 

ABRAHAM: If you have apple pie, I'll take a slice, please.

WAITRESS: We do.  What about you, miss? 

SARA: Another cup of decaf plus a scoop of chocolate ice cream.

WAITRESS: Okay.

WAITRESS leaves table to place order.  Returns shortly to refill SARA's cup.  She and ABRAHAM sit silently for a while.  And then... 

SARA: Did you see Now, Voyager last night? 

ABRAHAM: Sure did.  "don't let's ask for the moon, we have the stars."  Great last line. 

SARA: The Bette Davis character, Charlotte, made me think of me.

ABRAHAM: Really?  How so?

WAITRESS arrives with pie and ice cream.  SARA and ABRAHAM start to eat their desserts. 

SARA: In my case, it wasn't my mom, it was my DAD.  I come from a big family, five kids, four now since one of my brothers got killed in Afghanistan.  I got one sister and two brothers left.  But we're all still under the thumb of my domineering DAD.  Mom's kinda quiet.  Follows whatever DAD says.  Ever since I was a kid, he's been tellin' me what a loser I am.  I'm not as pretty as other girls, especially my older sister. And I'm not as smart as my older brothers.  Always pointing out when I screw up, and of course sooner or later, I do.  So what happens, I think I'm the loser he says I am.  That's a hell of a way to have to deal with life.  That's how a DAD is supposed to raise a daughter, me?    (SARA starts crying)

ABRAHAM stops eating and sits silently for a moment. 

ABRAHAM: I'm sorry, SARA.  I've only know you for a short time, but you're wrong about yourself.  You are a pretty girl, and you're bright.  Forget about your DAD.  Just like Charlotte, you can blossom and be the person you wanna be. 

SARA (stops crying): Thanks.  I know what you're saying, but it's not easy just to forget thirty years of what he's been telling me.  That's why I had to leave Michigan.  So, I don't have to listen no more.  I can't believe I'm telling you all this.  You must think I'm an idiot. 

ABRAHAM: Not at all.  You know, I'm a good listener.  Too many people just talk, but don't listen to what others say. 

SARA: So, what did you think about Now, Voyager? 

ABRAHAM: I loved when Charlotte's mother asked Dr. Jaquith about parental rights and he said, "tawdle, a child has rights."  I believe you raise your children to be independent.  To do that you need to instill self-confidence in them.  

SARA (thinking for a moment): You're right.  That's what I lack, self-­confidence. 

ABRAHAM: That's the one thing I've always wanted to do.  To have a child, to raise it well, to see it blossom, like Forest Gump did with his son, with self­-confidence bursting out.  Then there's nothing a child can't do. 

SARA: Did you have kids?  You sound like a wonderful father. 

ABRAHAM: I wanted to.  Did have a child.  Stillborn.  My wife dead, too.  Worst day of my life.

 ABRAHAM and SARA sat in silence for some moments. 

SARA: I'm so sorry.  

ABRAHAM: It happened a long time ago.  I've moved on.  But, sometimes I think there's a hole in my life. 

SARA: I'm a religious person.  I have faith in God, but when I see the unfairness of my dad with five kids and you with none, it's hard to accept.

ABRAHAM: I'm religious, too.  My faith gives me strength to carry on, to look for purpose and meaning in my life.  (pause) Your ice cream's melting. 

SARA: I've had enough.  I need to head home. It's been real nice talking to you, ABRAHAM.  Maybe we'll run into each other again.

 ABRAHAM: I hope so, too.

 ABRAHAM picks up both checks the waitress left. 

ABRAHAM: My treat.  I insist. 

SARA: Thanks. 

ABRAHAM: How do you get home from here? 

SARA: Bus.  I can catch it nearby. 

ABRAHAM: Please, let me drive you.  My car is parked only a block away. 

SARA: You sure?  I can take a bus.  No problem. 

ABRAHAM: Please, it'll save you a lot of time and I'll feel better.

SARA: Okay.  Thanks again.

ABRAHAM pays the checks and he and SARA leave the coffee shop. 

INT. INSIDE ABRAHAM'S CAR ­ DAY

 Car pulls up in front of SARA's apartment building. 

SARA: Thanks for the lift, ABRAHAM.  Have a good evening.

ABRAHAM: Let me make a suggestion.  Next Sunday, I'm gonna be back at the cinema for a show around 2:00.  Didn't you say you do likewise every Sunday?  Why don't we go together?  It'd be much nicer to watch a movie with someone rather than alone.  What do you think, SARA? 

SARA (thinks for a moment): Okay.  Let's.  I'll meet you there next Sunday.  Bye­-bye, ABRAHAM. 

ABRAHAM: Bye, SARA.  Until next Sunday. 

SARA exits car. 

Move the Team

 Cristina's favorite football (soccer) team is the Corinthians, a team located in Sao Paulo.  Could the team be moved to another city?  To Brazilians, this would be unthinkable.

To me, as an American, I have seen this happen multiple times in my life.  Let's look at the pro sports franchises back in 1952, a year I remember well.

At that time, there were 16 teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), 12 teams in the National Football League (NFL), 8 teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 6 teams in the National Hockey League (NHL).

In 1952, the 16 baseball teams were located in only 10 cities, located in the northeast and midwest.   5 cities, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis had multiple franchises.  5 cities had only one team, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Washington and Detroit.  

The Boston Braves of the National League moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and to Atlanta in 1966.  The St. Louis Browns of the American League moved to Baltimore (to become the Orioles) in 1954.  The Philadelphia As of the American League moved to Kansas City in 1955 and to Oakland in 1968.  The New York Giants of the National League moved to San Francisco in 1958.  The Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League moved to Los Angeles in 1958.  The Washington Senators of the American League moved to Minnesota (to become the Twins) in 1961.

In the NFL, the Dallas Texans moved to Baltimore (to become the Colts) in 1953 and then to Indianapolis in 1984.  The Chicago Cardinals moved to St. Louis in 1960 and then to Arizona in 1988.  The Los Angeles Rams (who had moved from Cleveland in 1946) moved to St. Louis in 1995 and then back to Los Angeles in 2016.  The Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore (to become the Ravens) in 1996.

In the NBA, the Milwaukee Hawks moved to St. Louis in 1955 and then to Atlanta in 1968.  The Rochester Royals moved to Cincinnati in 1957, to Kansas City (to become the Kings) in 1972 and finally to Sacramento in 1985.  Also in 1957, the Fort Wayne Pistons moved to Detroit.  The Minneapolis Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960.  The Philadelphia Warriors moved to San Francisco in 1962 (now the Golden State Warriors).  The Syracuse Nationals moved to Philadelphia (to become the 76ers) in 1963.

In the NHL, none of the original six franchises (Boston, Montreal, New York, Toronto, Detroit and Chicago) have moved.

And I haven't even touched the expansion franchises that started popping up in the 1960s: 14 in MLB, 20 in the NFL, 22 in the NBA and 26 in the NHL.        

More Boxing

The 1970s was the decade of the Women's Rights Movement.  There was the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).  And Title IX (prohibits discrimination of the basis of sex in education programs receiving federal financial assistance).  

And some women wanted the right to box.  What?  Participate in the "manly art of self-defense?"  Get punched in the face?  That's right.  

The New York State Athletic Commission, located in New York City, controls the sport of boxing in the State.  Women in the 1970s were barred from boxing.  Men of course were not.  

Three women, Cathy Davis, Jackie Tonawanda and Marian Trimiar, sued the Commission to obtain licenses to box.  They argued that they were being discriminated against based upon their sex.  

Somehow, I communicated the fact that I personally supported the women's right to box and against the Commission's denial of that right.  Perhaps a letter to the editor of The New York Times?  I believe in equality of opportunity.

One night while relaxing at home, I received a phone call from a representative of the Commission.  Not sure how he got my home number.  Maybe the White Pages of the phone book?  

He asked how it would look for women to get bloody noses from boxing.  I responded that if it is okay for men to get bloody noses, it would be okay for women, too.  End of call.  

The three woman settled their case and received licenses to box in New York State.  And did box professionally.

In March 1995, I along with many others went to Holy Cross High School in Queens to watch the opening rounds of that years Golden Gloves (amateur boxing) tournament.  It featured a match between the first women (Taneasha Harris and Lisa Long) participants in the New York City Golden Gloves.  

Another boxer there that night was Kathy Collins who won her contest.  She went on to a successful professional career of twenty fights, losing only twice (both by split decisions).  Her final fight (in 2001) against Cristy Martin was in historic Madison Square Garden (on the undercard).

On April 30 (15 days ago), at the same Madison Square Garden, Katie Taylor of Ireland fought Puerto Rico's Amanda Serrano for the World's Lightweight championship before a sold out crowd (more than 19,000 fans).  They (the two women) were the main event, which was a first at that historic venue.  

According to The New York Times, "boxing observers immediately suggesting it was the fight of the year - without qualification."    

Serrano said, "That's all I wanted to do - to show that women can fight.  I'm so excited that girls have two great role models they can look up to."

Big change in 50 years.

Transcontinental Railroad

When the United States of America was founded in 1788, it was bounded by its coast on the Atlantic Ocean.  However, with the acquisition of California in 1848 from Mexico, the USA was spread across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans.  This was the fulfillment of America's Manifest Destiny, from sea to shining sea. 

In the mid-1800s, travel between New York and San Francisco took 43 days by ship that went through the Isthmus of Panama or 198 days by ship that went around the tip of South America.  If you chose to go directly across the continent by horse or covered wagon, it took four to five months.

Transportation by train between New York and San Francisco would cut the travel time significantly.  As a result of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869, travel from New York to San Francisco took only about six days.  

America's first transcontinental railroad consisted of 1,911 miles (3,075 KM) from the existing eastern railroad network terminal at Council Bluffs, Iowa to the Oakland Long Wharf on San Francisco Bay, California.  It was paid for through the purchase of federal government bonds authorized by Congress with the support of President Abraham Lincoln.    

The first transcontinental railroad opened for through traffic from Sacramento, California to Omaha, Nebraska on May 10, 1869 when the final spike (nicknamed the golden spike) was tapped into the rail at Promontory Summit, Utah.  The historic event was delayed for two days because of rain.  It had been scheduled for May 8, 1869 (153 years ago).

The Western Pacific Railroad built 132 miles (212 KM) of tracks from Oakland to Sacramento, CA.  From there, the Central Pacific Railroad constructed 690 miles (1,110 KM) of tracks to Promontory Summit.

From the east, The Union Pacific Railroad built 1,085 miles (1,746 KM) of tracks westward from Nebraska to the meeting point in Utah. The meeting of the two railroads made transporting passengers and goods coast to coast considerably quicker and less expensive.

Roughly 15,000 Chinese immigrants were hired by the Central Pacific Railroad to lay tracks, a dirty and dangerous job.  Unfortunately and unfairly, they were treated worse by their employer (wages and working conditions) than they treated their white counterparts.

There was an historic photo taken on May 10, 1869 when the eastern and western railroads were joined together at Promontory Summit.  Hundreds of workers are seen standing on the two railroad engines that were standing face to face.  

None of the workers in the photo are Chinese.  This was the final insult.

    

A Place in the Sun

A Place in the Sun is a 1951 dramatic film directed by George Stevens and which starred Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters.  It was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning six:  Best Director (Stevens), Best Screenplay (Michael Wilson and Harry Brown), Best Cinematography (William C. Mellor), Best Costume Design (Edith Head), Best Film Editing (William Hornbeck) and Best Scoring (Franz Waxman).

A Place in the Sun is based on the 1925 novel An American Tragedy written by Theodore Dreiser.  I read it recently, noticing certain differences with the movie I've seen multiple times.

George Eastman in the movie (Clift)/Clyde Griffiths in the book, the poor nephew of a rich industrialist, arrives in town following a chance encounter with his rich uncle while working as a bellhop in a Chicago hotel. The elder Eastman invites George to visit him if and when he ever comes to town, and the ambitious young man takes advantage of the offer. 

Despite George's family relationship to the Eastmans, they regard him as something of an outsider (ignoring him socially), but his uncle nevertheless offers him an entry-level job at his factory. George, uncomplaining, hopes to impress his uncle with his hard work and earn his way up. 

While working in the factory, George (lonely and looking for affection) starts dating and engaging in unprotected sex with fellow factory worker Alice Tripp in the movie (Winters)/Roberta Alden in the book, in defiance of the workplace rules. Alice is a poor and inexperienced girl who is dazzled by George and slow to believe that his Eastman name brings him no advantages.

George finally meets "society girl" Angela Vickers in the movie (Taylor)/Sondra Finchley in the book, whom he has admired from afar since shortly after arriving in town, and they quickly fall in love. Being Angela's escort thrusts George into the intoxicating and care-free lifestyle of high society that his rich Eastman kin had denied him. 

When Alice announces that she is pregnant and makes it clear she expects George to marry her, he puts her off, spending more and more of his time with Angela and his new well-heeled friends. An attempt to procure an abortion for Alice fails, and she renews her insistence on marriage. 

George is invited to join Angela at the Vickers holiday lake house over Labor Day and excuses himself to Alice, saying that the visit will advance his career and accrue to the benefit of the coming child.

Meanwhile, Alice finds a picture in the newspaper of George and Angela boating with friends, and realizes that George lied to her about his intentions for wanting to go to the lake. George appears to be on the verge of finally advancing into the business and social realm that he has long sought. 

However, Alice phones the house and tells George she is at the nearby bus station.   If he does not come to get her, she will come to where he is and expose him. 

Visibly shaken, George announces his mother is ill and that he must leave. The next morning, George and Alice drive to City Hall to get married but they find it closed for Labor Day. George is relieved.

Remembering a story he read in the newspaper about a drowned couple, and knowing that Alice cannot swim, George suggests spending the day at the nearby lake.  Alice agrees.

When they get to the lake, George pulls the car's choke to feign its being out of gas in order to hide the car in the woods. He acts nervously when he rents a boat from a man who seems to deduce that George gave him a false name.  

While they are out on the lake, Alice talks about her dreams concerning their happy future together with their child. As George apparently takes pity on her, Alice tries to stand up in the boat to approach him, causing it to capsize.  Alice drowns.

George swims to shore, behaves suspiciously when he comes across campers on his way back to the car, and eventually drives to where his society friends are. There, he tries to relax, but is increasingly tense. 

George says nothing to anyone about having been on the lake or about what happened there. Meanwhile, Alice's body is discovered and her death is treated as a murder almost from the first moment, while an abundant amount of evidence and witness reports stack up against George.

George is arrested and charged with Alice's murder. George's furtive actions before and after Alice's death condemn him. His denials are futile, and he is found guilty of murder and sentenced to death in the electric chair.

The name of the book is An American Tragedy because what led to the deaths of both Alice and George was so avoidable.  If such circumstances would happen today, they wouldn't have died.

Why?  First, neither wanted the pregnancy.  Years ago, condoms were not readily available.  I remember in the 1960s, I had to ask a pharmacist for one.  Today they are openly displayed on pharmacy shelves with a variety of brands and styles.

Furthermore, abortion is legal and available, at least in places like Michigan (movie) and New York State (book).  

Second, as a result of the Miranda ruling, a suspect can refuse to answer questions from the police without the presence of an attorney.  George was forced by the local prosecutor to answers questions the answers to which damaged his case.

Finally, the stigma of an unmarried pregnant woman is gone.  Think of Bridget Moynahan, an American actress and model.  She had a child with Tom Brady, the star American football player, without being married to him.  In fact, he subsequently married another woman, Gisele Bundchen, the Brazilian super model, with whom he had two other children.