Ellis Island

Ellis Island opened on January 1, 1892. What is Ellis Island? Why was it important?

Ellis Island was a place where immigrants came to America. Immigrants come to a country to live there. Over 12 million people arrived in America at Ellis Island. They wanted to have a better life.

Photo Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division [LC-USZ62-12595].

Ellis Island opened on January 1, 1892. What is Ellis Island? Why was it important?

Ellis Island is in the water near New York City. Immigrants came there by ship. Immigrants could see the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol. It means freedom.

Photo Credit: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division[LC-DIG-det-4a12750]

Ellis Island opened on January 1, 1892. What is Ellis Island? Why was it important?

Ellis Island
was a big place! It had its own power station and hospital.

When the
immigrants landed, they had to see a doctor. The doctor made sure they were
healthy. Immigrants answered questions. They said they would live in America.
They said what job they planned to do. After they answered these questions,
they could stay.

Today, immigrants
do not come through Ellis Island. But people can visit Ellis Island. They can
see a museum there.

What Do You Think? Why do you think immigrants came to America?

Photo Credit: Everett Historical/Shutterstock