Category: Community

Each year from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central, and South America. First established in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson, it later expanded to a 30-day national celebration as observed today by President Ronald Reagan. 

Many Hispanic/Latino families immigrated to the US for a better life and more opportunities. In fact, U.S. railroads employed a large population of them (mostly of Mexican descent), between the mid-19th–and–early-20th centuries. Known as traqueros, these railroad workers relocated to the Midwest and western parts of the country, and many lived in boxcars only a few feet away from railroad tracks.  

As the most convenient and affordable way to work along tracks, boxcars became a permanent home to many workers and families, although living and working conditions were suboptimal. By 1925, about 1.8 million workers were employed by U.S. railroads.  

To learn more, check out the Boxcar People documentary, which highlights the personal stories and struggles of Mexican railroad workers and families.  

How you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

There are many ways to celebrate Hispanic heritage all year-long. From museums, dining, and shopping in San Francisco’s Mission District, Oakland’s Fruitvale District, and in many San Jose neighborhoods, there’s no shortage of places to visit along Capitol Corridor’s route!

Events
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by taking the train to an event or activity along the route! Many of the destinations the Capitol Corridor serves have lots of restaurants, events, concerts, and other happenings for you to partake in. With our seamless connections to BART, buses, and light rail, getting to your destination is easy.

Check out Oakland events here, San Jose here and Sacramento happenings here.

Happy Pride Month! Pride Month is an annual celebration where we come together to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. It serves as a powerful reminder that every individual deserves to live authentically, without fear, or prejudice. By celebrating Pride Month, we affirm our commitment to creating a world where love, respect, and inclusivity triumph over discrimination and bigotry.

Take Capitol Corridor to the largest Pride celebrations in Northern California! Sit back, relax, and head to the Café Car for yummy food and drinks! Go with a group and take advantage of our deals and promotions.

June

• Sacramento Pride (Sacramento Station):
  Sacramento Pride will be celebrated on June 8 – 9, 2024, at Sacramento Capitol Mall. Take the train and get off at Sacramento Station, walking just a few blocks to the event’s location.

• San Francisco (Emeryville/ Richmond Station):
  While the city will be celebrating all month long, the annual San Francisco Pride Celebration will be on Sunday, June 30, 2024, complete with a parade and celebration at San Francisco City Hall. Take the train to Richmond Station and transfer to the BART red line and get off at Embarcadero Station for the start of the parade. Consider staying overnight before or after the event to maximize on the fun!

August

• Silicon Valley Pride Celebration (San Jose Station):
  This year’s Silicon Valley Pride Celebration returns August 24 – 25, 2024, at Plaza de César Chávez Park in Downtown San Jose. Take the train to San Jose Diridon Station and walk a few blocks toward the park!

September

• Oakland Pride (Oakland Jack London Station):
  Check out the annual Oakland Pride on Sunday, September 8, 2024, in downtown Oakland. Take the train to Oakland Jack London Station and walk toward downtown or take a rideshare. Make it an overnight trip and book your stay!
  
  

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and impacts by members from the community. Transportation plays a huge role in revitalizing, reshaping, and defining communities – especially when it comes to public transportation. Transportation is all about improving mobility, connecting people and places to each other, and making communities accessible.  The AAPI community has played a big role in improving public transportation and equity in today’s society.

The Unforgotten Heroes of the Transcontinental Railroad

The Gold Rush attracted many settlers to the US, but also persuaded Chinese workers to come for a better life and opportunity. From 1863 and 1869, roughly 15,000 Chinese workers helped build the Transcontinental Railroad, which connected the East Coast and West Coast of the United States, facilitating economic expansion. Chinese workers made up most of the workforce, working on roughly 700 miles of train tracks between Sacramento, California, and Promontory, Utah. By the 19th century, more than 2.5 million Chinese citizens had left their country and were hired in 1864 after a labor shortage threatened the railroad’s completion.

Even though many Chinese workers were offered a new opportunity, they worked under excruciating conditions. Chinese workers received 30-50 percent lower wages than whites for the same job, earning only $26 a month. They also had the most difficult and dangerous work, including tunneling and the use of explosives. This resulted in an eight-day strike in June 1867. The strike ended without pay parity after Central Pacific (employer) cut off food, transportation and supplies to the Chinese living in camps, but working conditions improved following the strike.

It is important to recognize the sacrifices and establishments of Chinese workers during this time. The Transcontinental Railroad would not have possible without them. They also established a strong Asian community in California, especially San Francisco. Chinese immigrants fought against discrimination for decades and created a better society for all Asian communities in the US.

Read about a story of how a Stanford student discovered his ancestor, Lim Lip Hong, helped build the Central Pacific Railroad, the westernmost portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, take the Capitol Corridor to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento! It is a short and easy walk from our Sacramento Station and features the Chinese Railroad Workers’ Experience. This permanent exhibit provides a glimpse of the Chinese workers who built the western portion of the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad.

Visit Chinese Railroad Workers’ Experience web page here