Chinese railroad workers' contribution recognized

More than 150 years ago, the story of Chinese and Irish laborers who toiled in backbreaking conditions to build America's first Transcontinental Railroad remained largely untold, and their sacrifices were often overlooked.

In a remarkable display of unity, the Chinese and Irish communities in San Francisco are joining forces to ensure those forgotten heroes are finally recognized.

"The Chinese workers and the Irish workers were never recognized," Leo Cassidy, board member of the United Irish Cultural Center, or UICC, in San Francisco, told China Daily. "They've never been commended for all their work and how they suffered."