Most people recognize Ellis Island by the Statue of Liberty, which was what was most immigrants first signs of America. Ellis Island opened up in 1892 as one of the main immigration stations in the US. During the period of immigration into the US it served as the first stopping point for more than 50 million people. It served as a gateway to the United States to many immigrants from Europe and Asia. There were many different types of people coming from all over for many different reasons. Some of the most common reasons were, war, famine, drought, and religious persecution. One thing that all the people who passed through Ellis Island had in common though was that they all wanted a new start in a new world. Ellis Island was eventually closed in 1954. Although in 1976 they reopened it to the public as a museum.
I think that Ellis Island is a key part of the United States history because it served as a gateway to a new world for millions of people. It stands as an iconic piece of the New York skyline even though it is technically apart of New Jersey.
"Ellis Island." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
Comments
Good but brief overall.