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
Do You Live in One of the 10 Oldest US Capitals?
Learn about the 10 oldest capital cities in the USA.
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!
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.
QUIZ: What Do You Remember About the Cold War?
The Cold War (1947-1991) dominated the politics during most of our lives. So, looking back, how much do you remember about the war that brought us to the brink?
The American Quiz: How Well Do You Know America?
How well do you know America? Test your knowledge with this 4th of July-themed quiz!
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?
8 Essential Greek Philosophy Books You Shouldn't Miss
Here is your best chance for understanding Greek philosophy and its history.
These Archaeological Finds Reveal Incredible Stories
These latest excavations and fascinating finds will fascinate you.
These Old Photos Show a Fascinating Side of History
Each one of these remarkable photos tells a story of bygone history. See how much the world has changed with scenes of both famous faces, events and everyday moments.
20 Things Most People Think Are the Same, But Aren't!
These words are often mistaken for synonyms, but in reality they are nothing of the sort, because they refer to different things. Learn about 20 of them.,
Who Said You Can't Train Cats?
Suki the cat is getting some agility training. If you thought cats cannot be trained, this is documented proof that notion is false. You just need to give them the right motivation, or in other words - use food...
The Truth About June. Touching and Wonderful.
A beautiful story about a mother's love, which I warmly recommend.
1950s Debunked: Correcting Misconceptions About the Era
The 1950s may not have been as idyllic as we have been made to believe.
The Chilling Story of Hungary’s Murderous Blood Countess
Elizabeth Bathory is one of the most feared names in Hungary, with a sadistic streak to rival that of Vlad the Impaler's.
Incredible History: Looking Through 21 Fascinating Photos
Enjoy this collection of historical pictures.
8 Honest-to-God Facts that Are Just too Weird to Believe
A list of bizarre yet true facts
The Rise and Fall of the Tudors: A Royal History
Looking at key events in the history of the Tudor Royal family, where they came from, how they rose to power, and what caused their decline.
This Man Will Teach You to Speak So You Are Always Heard
Julian Treasure is a sound expert who has been researching human speech and the psychology behind it and is now sharing his findings, teaching people how to speak so that others will listen.
Unveiling the Great Achievements of the Han Dynasty
In this article, we’ll explore the great achievements of the Han Dynasty, examine how they shaped the future of China
20 Cognitive Biases Ruining Our Decision Making Process
If you find it hard to make a decision, these cognitive stumbling blocks could be what's affecting your behavior.
Rare Celebrity Pics from the '90s You Haven't Seen Before
These celebrity photos from the 1990s will make you nostalgic.
Why You Might Want to Consider Switching to a Futon Bed
In this article, we will learn what a real futon bed is and if it is better for spine health than a western bed.
How Clean Are Hotel Rooms, Really? Find Out the Answer!
Hotel rooms always look clean and fresh, but are they?
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.
The Significance of Each Christmas Tree Decoration
We all tend to put up Christmas decorations and go through all the rituals every year, but do we know what the symbolism behind them is? Find out here.
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.
How to Detect a Liar, Explained by a Former FBI agent
Former FBI agent explains about deception detection methods, and debunks common myths.
These Female Celebs Have Aged Like Fine Wine (28 Pics)
These female celebrities are aging just like fine wine.
Your Cat Isn't Weird, It's Just Trying to Say Something
Many cat behaviors have human equivalents, however we often have problems interpreting them. Thanks to this handy guide, you will not anymore!
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.
Cousteau: The Man Who Revolutionized Diving Forever
The life and works of Jacques-Cousteau, a man who single-handedly revolutionized diving technology and research
10 Underrated Movies That Should be Seen by More People
Imploring all cinema buffs to check out these criminally underrated movies!
16 Wonderful Japanese Ideas We Should All Start Copying
The Japanese are unique. Their ways seem perfectly designed to help the population live happy fruitful lives. Here are 16 cool Japanese things we should copy.
15 Lovely Christmas Quotes That Will Fill Your Heart with Joy
These beautiful Christmas are sayings everyone can be thankful for!
22 Facts That Will Change What You Think You Know
From Facebook to Winston Churchill, these 22 surprising facts are very interesting.
This Hilarious Song Perfectly Sums Up My "Efficient" Memory
This hilarious song perfectly sums up or senior moments.
51 of the Tastiest Cheeses From All Over the World!
In this article you’ll find 51 of the tastiest cheeses from around the world. Some you have probably heard of, while others will be totally new to you!
This Swiss Brown Ox is a Guinness Record Holder
Meet Tommy, a gigantic Swiss Brown Ox who has registered his name in the Guinness World Records.
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 Theories On Reality Will Blow Your Mind
There are many crazy theories about the nature of reality, but some of them definitely outdo the others. Here are 10 mind-blowing theories about reality.
8 Infamous Crimes That Left a Mark on History
These true crime stories became so sensational that they changed the culture and went to be remembered in history.
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’
6 Short Stories to Help You Stay Motivated in Life
If you’re feeling down, rather than surf the internet for cat pictures or drowning your sorrows by reading junk, check out these inspirational and powerful Short Stories
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.
When it Comes to Inventive Solutions, These Guys Are Top!
We all face different issues every day and our solutions to these minor problems vary widely...
These American History “Facts” Are Actually False
We’ve all believed these American history “facts” at some point.
These Photos Prove How Strange of a Country South Korea Is
The following images illustrate how strange of a place Korea is.