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
Everything You Didn't Know About Central Park
We're sharing all the nitty-gritty about Central Park's history, some facts you almost certainly didn't know, and some vintage iconic photos of the Park.
How Did We Invent the Dollar? Learn Its Meandering History
In this video, we will learn a short history of the U.S. Dollar.
Float Mid-Air On the 91st Floor in New York
It took the artist over 3 years to design, and now this amazing installation is open for visitors in New York!
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.
11 Unforgettable Mansions from the Gilded Age
The Gilded Age launched an American Architectural Renaissance, and testaments of it are scattered across the map of the United States to this day.
What Went Wrong with the U.S. Army's Universal Camouflage?
The U.S. Army Universal Camouflage Pattern uniform was introduced in 2004 but didn't work. Let's understand why.
15 Lovely Christmas Quotes That Will Fill Your Heart with Joy
These beautiful Christmas are sayings everyone can be thankful for!
Meet the 13 Most Influential Japanese Gods and Goddesses
Today, we dive into the rich Japanese pantheon and take a look at some of their most iconic gods and goddesses.
9 Different Types of Oranges You Never Knew About
How many of these unique orange varieties have you tried?
14 Creepy Facts That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine
These 14 surprising facts about the world may definitely send shivers down your spine, but they are still important to know and recognize!
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.
Witness How Cinema's Visual Effects Changed With Time
Witness the progression of visual effects in cinema from the Academy Awards of 1927 and moving all the way up to 2018's edition.
This Song By Frank Sinatra is So Beautiful
Sing through the lyrics of Frank Sinatra's Young at Heart here.
Send Christmas Wishes to Your Friends This Festive Season
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Send this video to your closest and dearest friends to let them know that you're thinking of them.
This Video is a Must for All History Buffs!
Seeing history move right before our eyes teaches us so much about the last 2000 years!
17 Inventive Wedding Invitations No One Would Say No To
Some wedding invitations are pretty bland, but not these genius creations. Here are 17 invitations that no one would ever turn down.
23 Extraordinary Vision Facts That'll Open Your Eyes Wide
The eye is an amazing body part, but did you know how amazing? These 23 facts will open your eyes to the extraordinary truth.
Have You Ever Seen Ducks With Jobs? You're About To!
Watch the day-to-day life of these incredible ducks, who just so happen to spend their lives on a wine farm...
Historic Photos From Days of Christmas' Past...
Christmas is said to be a time of love, cheer, and human compassion. These photos may be decades-old, but the stories they tell are not much different than the stories of today.
13 of Napoleon Bonaparte's Most Famous Quotes
In this post, you'll find 13 of the French Emperor's most famous quotes, as well as more biographical information about the famous conqueror as you scroll down.
How to Detect a Liar, Explained by a Former FBI agent
Former FBI agent explains about deception detection methods, and debunks common myths.
These American History “Facts” Are Actually False
We’ve all believed these American history “facts” at some point.
8 Books That Predicted the Future With Strange Accuracy
It always feels eerie when the future is predicted correctly and it turns out literature is full of such accurate forecasts. These 8 novels were particularly spot on.
These Common Words Began as Mistakes - Unbelievable!
Some spelling and grammar mistakes change a student’s grade for the worse, others transform the language forever.
In the West, We Have Much to Learn From the East...
Eastern philosophy is vastly different to Western philosophy, and we all have much to learn from the schools of thought from that part of the world.
How Are Men and Women Different? A Few Good Examples
In this series of funny but true pictures, we get a quick tour of some of the major differences between men and women...
7 of History's Most Outrageous Con Artists
Fan of true crime? Today we will learn the stories of 7 of history's most notorious con artists.
9 Facts About Ancient Egypt You Probably Didn’t Know
Venture beyond the usual facts about the pyramids and Tutankhamen and learn 9 equally fascinating facts and misconceptions about Ancient Egypt
2024 is Here! And This is Why You Should Be Excited for It
2024 is here! And this is why you should be excited for it.
7 Still Unanswered Questions About JFK's Assassination
There are many questions surrounding John F. Kennedy's death that remain unanswered. Here are 7 of the issues that are yet to be addressed.
English Really Needs a Translation for These Foreign Words
With so many words in the English vocabulary, we still as yet have to come up with a word to describe how we'd feel in these instances.
These Are the Most Famous Swords Ever Forged!
Check out 8 of the most legendary swords to have ever graced the field of battle!
Behold the Worst Predictions in History!
Not every prediction is true, and some of them, like the ones on this list - miss the mark by a mile!
Watch These Old Historical Photos Come Magically to Life
Russian animator Alexey Zakharov has managed to achieve something amazing: he animates old photos and turns them into film. You've got to see this.
14 Nostalgic Pics to Take You Back to the Good Ol’ Days
These photos will instantly trigger your nostalgia.
Watching These Tigers Released Is a Powerful Experience
Watching these powerful, royal tigers given their freedom again is a magnificent experience, one that reminds us of the power and majesty of these animals.
I Just Wanted to Remind You: You're the BEST!
Do you know someone who ought to be given some appreciation? Make their day today by congratulating them with a sweet compliment!
Good News Alert! 11 Positive Things You Need to Know About
If you look for good news, you’ll always find it. Here are some wonderful things happening around us right now.
Mark Twain's Tips For a Better Kind of Life...
Mark Twain was not only a talented writer but a man of wise, witty words. Here are 12 of his best quotes.
10 World War I Inventions We Still Use Every Day
From trench coats, to pilates and blood banks, all of these 10 things we think of as very modern were actually conceived during WWI.
The History Behind Halloween Isn't Quite What You Think...
If you've ever wondered what the origin of Halloween is and what all the fuss about pumpkins, fancy dress, and trick-or-treating is all about, then you should definitely give this documentary a watch.
The 10 Most Powerful Regrets People Have at the End
What are the 10 biggest regrets people have at the end of their days? Find out the truth...
14 Movie Recommendations You Won’t Want to Miss
Which films deserve to be added to your watch list? Here are 14 suggestions (with trailers) that are sure to inspire and emote you.
Listen to the Enchanting Notes of the World's Oldest Songs
In this article, we will be talking about the oldest known pieces of music ever found.
11 New English Words That Are Actually USEFUL To Know
The majority of new English words are very short-lived, but these were added to various dictionaries and seem to be quite useful to know
Find Out How to Live Happier & Healthier With These Hacks
Discover how small hacks can help you change your life for the better. Here are 15 of them.
21 Tips to Make Your Golden Years the Time of Your Life
Many seniors will offer a different piece of advice on life. This collection of tips will allow you to live the most wondrous golden years imaginable.