Ellis Islan

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Immigration

Coming to America

Coming to America• The First Immigrant Landed on Ellis Island

January 1, 1892

• When 15-year-old Annie Moore arrived here from Ireland on this day in 1892, she was the first person to enter the United States through Ellis Island. As the boat she was on drew closer to her new home, she must have seen the Statue of Liberty, whose torch rises 305 feet above the waters of the New York Harbor. The statue is on an island next to Ellis Island.

• Can you guess how many people entered the United States through Ellis Island?

Coming to America

More than 12 million people entered the United States through the Ellis Island immigration center from 1892 to 1954.

For 62 years people came to Ellis Island from around the world because they wanted to become American citizens. After the boats docked, immigrants would disembark and walk into the Registry Room where they would see doctors who would check if they had any physical problems and officers who would look over their legal documents.

Once they were given the OK to enter, the immigrants were allowed into the United States.

Were there other ways to enter the U.S. at this time?

Coming to America

Nearly half of all Americans have ancestors who came here through Ellis Island, but this was only one of many ports of entry for ships; some others were Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore.

Coming to America

• Seymour Rechtzeit was eight years old in 1920, when he left his home in Poland and journeyed to America.

• Why do you think he came, and what happened when he arrived?

Coming to America

• Seymour Rechtzeit family decided that he should come to America, where there would be more opportunities for him.

• World War I had just ended, and it was a bad time in Europe.

• They boarded a ship called The Lapland. It was 1920, and he was on his way to America.

Crossing the Atlantic • Riding on a big boat across the Atlantic Ocean may

sound like fun, but it wasn't. The two-week trip was miserable! The room was in steerage, way down in the bottom of the boat. It was lined with bunks, one on top of the other. It was uncomfortable and crowded. The only way to get fresh air and move around was to go to the top deck.

• There were many bad storms at sea. The weather was unpredictable. Many people arrived with severe colds. But even a cold could not help the feeling of happiness when they saw the Statue of Liberty.

• Back then, immigrants had to pass a medical examination to be allowed to enter the country. Many people were sent back to where they came from if they did not pass the examine.

Everyone up top to see the Statue!

History of the Statue of Liberty• Students: What can you tell me about the Statue of

Liberty?

• The Statue of Liberty, officially Liberty Enlightening the World, was designed by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and completed in July 1884. Working with dreams of the famous figure over a decade before its completion, Bartholdi produced a number of miniaturized working models.

• On the 4th of July, 1884, The 151 feet (46 meters) tall 225 ton Statue of Liberty was delivered to the American Ambassador in Paris.

Immigration• What is Immigration?

• Ever since its founding in 1776, and even before then, the United States has attracted immigrants from around the world. For well over two centuries, people have flocked under this nation's protective wings as opportunists, sojourners, missionaries, refugees, and even illegal aliens.

• The U.S. has long since been a refuge of the world, with opportunities abound and freedom for all. Over time, millions around the world have found emigrating to the U.S. as the only alternative to starvation, death, or a life full of hardship and suffering.

• With thousands from nations spanning the globe, America has become a mosaic of people, culture, and hope.

Immigration 1. What worldwide events may be responsible for the

doubling of the U.S. immigration population from the 1890s to the 1900s?

2. What might have caused the decline of immigration to the U.S. throughout the 1930s?

3. Historically, from which three countries have most of the immigrants to the U.S. come? During which decades did most of these immigrants come into the U.S.? Choose one country. What was happening during these time periods that might have caused the high number of immigration?

4. Why have so many immigrants come to the United States?

Immigration

Immigration

Ellis Island • Students:

Can you tell me what you already know about Ellis Island?

• Ellis Island was named for Samuel Ellis, a New York land developer who bought it in 1782. On January 1, 1892, this little island became home to a new Immigration Station Ð one which would eventually become the most important immigration station in United States history.

Five years later, all of the buildings on Ellis Island burned down. On December 17, 1900, a new fireproof, brick and stone facility was built.

Ellis Island

• Ellis Island is a symbol of America’s immigrant heritage. From 1892 to 1954, this immigrant depot processed the greatest tide of incoming humanity in the nation’s history. Nearly twelve million landed here in their search of freedom of speech and religion, and for economic opportunity.

Ellis Island• To many it was the Island of Hopes, but to

those unfortunate souls who were turned away form the golden door, Ellis was the Island of Tears.

• The process of inspection was a nerve-racking ordeal. Immigrants, especially large families, feared not reaching certain qualification and being separated from family members.

• The entire process included dozens of tests, questionnaires, examinations, and interviews. It was no wonder many immigrants identified Ellis Island with fear and agitation.