Final answer:
The transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869, the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882, the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was enacted in 1890, and William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech was delivered in 1896.
Step-by-step explanation:
The completion of the transcontinental railroad occurred in the year 1869. This monumental project linked the eastern and western United States, paving the way for increased settlement and commerce.
The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882. This act was a significant and discriminatory law that restricted the immigration of Chinese individuals into the United States at a time of growing anti-Chinese sentiment.
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was enacted in 1890, as part of efforts to prevent monopolistic practices and promote fair competition in the American economy.
William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous "Cross of Gold" speech in 1896. His powerful oration advocated for bimetallism, as opposed to the gold standard, in what became a defining moment in the presidential campaign of that year.