We show that the Hunter-Saxton equation $u_t+uu_x=frac14big(int_{-infty}^x dmu(t,z)- int^{infty}_x dmu(t,z)big)$ and $mu_t+(umu)_x=0$ has a unique, global, weak, and conservative solution $(u,mu)$ of the Cauchy problem on the line.