It’s no secret that the USA is a country built on immigration, however, I never imagined the diversity of the melting pot of people that were coming through the Ellis Island immigration station in New York during the early part of the 20th Century!
The Ellis Island immigration station processed a staggering 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954. Its peak year was 1907, during which over 1 million immigrants, between 3,000 and 5,000 per day, were processed during a single year.
The immigrants mostly came from Europe and its periphery, and most entered the USA after just a few hours of questioning. Some, however, were detained for longer periods.
It was during this detention period that Augustus Francis Sherman, Ellis Island’s chief registry clerk, spent his time persuading the new arrivals to put on their finest clothes or national dress and be photographed by him.
His photographs, which simply had his subject’s place of origin as caption, were first published in National Geographic in 1907.
A most incredible statistic is that 100 million of America’s 322 million people can trace their ancestry back to individuals that arrived in the country via the Ellis Island immigration station. Take a look at these beautiful vintage portrait shots:
Source: mashable
Photos: Augustus Francis Sherman
Nostalgia: Gorgeous Photos of America in the 1950s
We hope you enjoy these beautiful captures of the 1950s in the USA.
20 Nostalgic Images of Circulating Libraries
Way before Amazon, the visit of the bookmobile was one of the most exciting moments. These 20 nostalgic images capture the circulating libraries of the past.
Was the Statue of Liberty REALLY a Gift?
Learn about the numerous possible people who may have modeled for the Statue of Liberty, and some shocking myth-busting.
QUIZ: Which Founding Father Were You in a Past Life?
Do you think you were the great George Washington, the confident Thomas Jefferson, or perhaps someone else? Take this personality quiz and find out!
10 of the Oldest Amusement Parks in the USA
Check out the 10 oldest amusement parks in the USA! Which of these did you visit?
The Surprising Origin of the Frozen TV Dinner
Frozen 'TV dinners' once dominated the American market. This is the surprising origins story of this popular food.
Amazing! 7 Facts That Have Changed Since Your School Days!
Over time, facts we consider to be completely true can change. Here are 7 facts that have changed since your school days.
Your Mind Does Play Tricks On You, Say Neuroscientists
There are many sensory tricks that your mind plays on you. Find out about the different phenomena that neuroscientists have discovered over the decades.
The Stories Behind these Historic Swords are Fascinating
Discover the legends behind these historic swords
Experience the Dramatic Moments of WWII in Moving Color
This 13-episode television documentary series recounts the major events of World War II in HD color.
10 Richest People From History You Should Know About
A look at 10 of the richest people that lived in history. From emperor Mansa Musa to Muammar Gaddafi, it presents the insane sums these people had.
Can You Guess the Meaning of These 20 Common Surnames?
We kind of take surnames for granted, as they are just passed down to us. But every name has an origin and meaning, and some might surprise you.
Of the Transformative Power of Classical Music...
A fascinating TED talk by Benjamin Zander.
10 Incredible Autobiographies We Should All Be Reading...
These autobiographies are absolute must-reads for you to enjoy. They are written by some of the world' most famous people, so you should definitely have a read.
The Apollo Program: A History of Manned Space Missions
Only 12 men have ever stepped foot on the moon. Find out more about their successful moon landings here!
These Maps Are Guaranteed to Teach You About the USA
The USA becomes all the more fascinating when you collate a ton of different maps containing insightful demographic data. Take a look at this map compilation.
16 Intriguing Maps That Will Surprise You
These fascinating maps show the world in the most interesting ways.
Fascinating Facts About The Middle Ages You Never Knew
If you thought you had read everything about the Middle Ages in school, you are mistaken. Read these interesting facts from that era.
Looking Back at the CRAZIEST World Records of 2022
2022’s Guinness World Records will make you wonder if they are for real.
24 Classic Books That Give You Important Life Lessons
Here is a look at ten great classic books that have some deep underlying moral lessons for all of us.
13 Commercials So Brilliant That You Have to Applaud
Most adverts are so predictable that anyone can see them coming, but these commercials are utterly ingenious!
Say Cheers & Raise Your Drinks to These 15 Terrific Toasts
I have been known to offer a few toasts myself when the occasion has grabbed me, but these are 15 of the very best toasts I have ever heard.
This Is One of The Most Beautiful Duets I've Ever Seen
Watch this mesmerizing duet from 1981 featuring Donovan and Crystal Gayle. This live performance is their rendition of the classic 60s song ‘Catch the Wind’
These Facts Sound Made Up, But Are Totally Real!
These weird facts may sound completely fake, but we can prove that they’re actually real.
The Fascinating Ways Our Fruits and Veggies Are Grown...
Here are some of the amazing the ways that fruits and veggies grow that may be new to you!
These 10 Invaluable World Treasures Were Never Recovered
All 10 of these valuable treasures have a mysterious fate, as they were all stolen or lost not so long ago and never recovered
20th Century: The MOST Popular Breakfast of Every Decade
Breakfast shape-shifted quite a bit during the 20th century. Discover the most popular breakfast delicacy of every decade in this article
13 Insightful & Thoughtful Quotes by John F. Kennedy
In this article, we will explore some of the best quotes by John F. Kennedy, which reveal the depth of his wisdom and his dedication to public service.
When an Ancient Egyptian Tomb Was Opened, This Was Inside
Finding Tutankhamun's tomb was one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history. These recolored photos capture those incredible days.
I Grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church: Here's My Story
Megan Phelps-Roper used to be part of America's most reviled group, the Westboro Baptist Church. In this talk she tells how she decided to leave them behind.
INTERACTIVE: 12 Fascinating Facts About Napoleon Bonaparte
Whether you're a history aficionado or a curious learner, these insights offer a unique glimpse into the man behind the legend of Napoleon.
How Far Back in Time Could You Go and Still Understand English?
Languages are born, change, and die. English, we presume, is no exception. So how far back in time could you go and still understand anything...?
Did You Know these 10 Facts about Alexander the Great?
His father conquered and unified Greece, but he wanted to conquer the world. Alexander the Great was a truly fascinating man.
Unseen & Rare Photos from History You Will Love
We bet you haven’t seen these amazing historical photos before.
Dancing With Dogs is So Much Better Than Regular Dancing...
These top contestants will wiggle, jump and roll their way into your hearts!
Genghis Khan: Brutal Mass Murderer, or Enlightened Ruler?
Genghis Khan is one of the most famed and feared names in history, but how did he become so great?
A Day in the Life of an Ancient Egyptian Doctor...
This video will show you what it was like to be a doctor in ancient Egypt.
12 of the Most Fascinating Creatures in Norse Mythology
The world of Norse mythology is full of bizarre mythical creatures. Let’s take a look at the most fascinating ones.
These 6 Mysterious Objects Can't Be Explained by Anyone
Archaeology is a very rewarding discipline, but there are some mysteries that never get solved. Take these 6 ancient objects. What they are is anyone's guess!
10 Incredible Magic Tricks You Didn't Know You Could Do
Time to try out some really cool magic tricks using just your hands...
These Photos Will Help Restore Your Faith in Humanity!
These pictures will surely put a smile on your face, and they may even make you cry tears of happiness. However, most importantly, we hope they inspire you.
Be Prepared! These Facts About the World Are Pretty Scary
These facts are incredibly fascinating... but they've got an element of spookiness to them too!
Astronaut Chris Hadfield Debunks Fascinating Space Myths
Chris Hadfield the astronaut makes sense of some of the wildest space myths and facts.
7 Fairy Tales That Are Popular to This Very Day!
The best fairy tales are those that are timeless and yet forever modern, tapping into our wildly shared emotions and moral attitudes. Here are 7 of the best!
You'll Need a Second Look For THESE Photos...
These fascinating photo illusions will make you believe like you're seeing one thing, but they actually depict something very different
15 Latin Phrases We Use to This Day Without Even Realizing
As an English, speaker you likely know more Latin than you ever thought you did. Just look at these 15 Latin phrases and see if you know what they mean...
These Native American Achievements Are Truly Outstanding!
Read all about ten of the greatest achievements that the Native Americans made before the arrival of Europeans