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
This is The OLDEST American Motorcycle Company
Of these 10 motorcycle manufacturers, only 2 are operating today. Can you guess the two?
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?
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.
120 Years of the Most Popular Wedding Dresses...
If we look at the last 120-150 years of wedding dress styles, what would we see?
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.
A Stroll Down Market Street, San Francisco in 1906
Hop on the wagon, we're going strolling down Market street in 1906's San Francisco with our horse and carriage!
Learn Something New Today With These Mind-Blowing Facts
These intriguing facts will teach you something new today.
All Coffee Drinkers Should Know These 17 Facts
A lot of adults drink at least one cup of coffee each day, but very few actually know these facts about coffee.
You Should Share This With Your Younger Family Members
This enlightening message highlights the state of the world and reminds the social media generation of something vitally important.
Emperor Augustus: How Does History Judge Him?
When speaking of great Roman emperors, perhaps the first that comes to mind is Augustus, who reigned for 41 years and is thought of as the founder of the Roman principle.
These Vintage Photos are Both Funny & Bizarre!
Check out these 15 weird sights from the past, which you certainly won't see nowadays!
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.
From Food to Science - The WORST Misnomers You’ll Find!
Whoever named these objects must have seriously run out of imagination!
'What a Wonderful World' Like You've Never Heard Before!
Listen to this hauntingly beautiful cover of the classic song “What a Wonderful World”.
WOW! These Men Must Have Nerves of Steel!
Vince Reffet and Noah Bahnson are thrill-seekers who love jumping off mountains. In this breathtaking video, they fly through the Alps.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu: A Beautiful Summary
Sun Tzu's the Art of War is still perhaps the greatest treatise on military strategy ever. This animated short explains the book in under 10 minutes.
How We Came to Play: The Origins of Playground Games
The fun games we played in our childhood had some interesting origins.
Can You Guess the English Word With Over 600 Meanings?
The English language has been around for so many centuries, it has gathered quite an elusive and industrious history, as seen in these facts
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...
Beware of Ordering These (Potentially) Fake Foods
There are certain items on a restaurant's menu that should be considered with caution, and this is because they tend to be faked. Learn more here.
These Naval Battles Changed the Course of History
History has been witness to some momentous naval battles. Here is a look at some of the greatest.
These American History “Facts” Are Actually False
We’ve all believed these American history “facts” at some point.
Fascinating Photos: Actors vs. the Real People They Played
Take a look yourself and make your own mind as to how faithful the actors were to the people they played in movies.
14 Senior Graduates Prove It’s Never Too Late To Learn
Here are 14 inspiring examples of people who pursued education and knowledge in their senior years.
These Fascinating Cat Facts Are Well Worth Sharing
You're definitely not a cat lover unless you know these 10 awesome facts about them!
A House Locked Away for a Century. What Was Found Inside?
Sealed for a century, this house was just reopened, and with it a window to another place and time.
Learn All About Herodotus, the Father of History
Learn all about Herodotus, and how he came to be known as the 'Father of History' in this informative video.
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!
10 Things You Didn't Know Were Invented By Native Americans
Learn about some super useful inventions that the Native Americans contributed to the world.
I Just Wanted to Let You Know: I'm Thinking of You
Is there anyone in your life whom you're thinking of deeply right now? Send them a little greeting to let them know.
WATCH: This Is One Free Gift That Everybody Yearns For
If there's one thing you can do to provide solace, comfort, and love to someone else, it's by cuddling them. Watch this video for more about wonderful hugging.
Take a Look At These Mind-bending Optical Illusions
Optical illusions are a great ways of showing how the mind can play tricks on you, and the ones you're about to see are no exception.
Wow! I Had No Idea That Whales Could Show Gratitude!
One whale was so grateful for the man who saved his life, he showed his appreciation - by dancing!
11 Surprising Things You Never Knew About the Titanic
We bet you didn’t know these surprising facts about the Titanic!
Baby Boomers, Do You Remember These Vintage Products?
If you are member of the baby boomer generation, you may just remember these nostalgic products from your childhood.
Watch a Thai Chiropractor Fixing a Spine With a Hammer!
Thailand is a country that's known for specializing in many different kinds of massages, but would you dare be massaged by a man wielding a hammer?
20 Unforgettable Last Words Spoken By Famous People
There’s something poignaant about reading famous last words.
Ride Through a German Town In 1902 on 'The Flying Train'
Take a fascinating ride through a German town from 1902 in this rare and unique footage.
When Animals Go Rogue: True Tales of Man-Eating Animals
Throughout history, many animals have turned into deadly man-eaters. Here’s a list of the most intense books on the subject.
18 of the Most Incredibly-Timed Photos You'll Ever See
These photos will leave you in awe of their timing. The visual impact they have is staggering. Take a look at these 18 images.
Enter Buster Keaton: The Founding Father of Visual Comedy
Discover more about the founding father of visual cinema, Buster Keaton.
A Massive Gorrila, But Watch Her With Kittens...
This video is amazing, I never knew gorillas could be like this.
Mark Twain Really Had a Way With Words
These great quotes from Mark Twain are all-time classics, and worth remembering.
If You Like Greek Mythology, Don’t Miss These Movies!
If you’re interested in Greek mythology, then make sure you check out these amazing films.
10 of the Most Spectacular Royal Crowns in the World
Crowns have long been seen as a strong symbol of power and wealth. Here are some of the world's most recognized crowns and tiaras.
Of the Transformative Power of Classical Music...
A fascinating TED talk by Benjamin Zander.
Dogs Can Teach Us a Lot About Friendship...
While dogs may be man's best friend, dogs’ best friends are undoubtedly other dogs, as these adorable pictures go to show.