Immigration to America: Ellis Island

Mission Brief #56

🎯 Your mission

Be a history detective — read between the dates.

⚡ The twist

History is written by the winners — keep asking what's missing.

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Ellis Island was an important place for immigrants coming to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Located in New York Harbor, it served as a gateway for millions of people seeking a better life. Upon arriving, immigrants underwent medical checks and interviews to ensure they could enter the country. Many families started their new lives in America after passing through Ellis Island.

Key facts

Remember these

1Ellis Island was a gateway for immigrants to America.
2It opened in 1892 and closed in 1954.
3Millions of immigrants passed through Ellis Island.

Timeline

When it happened

1892
Ellis Island opens; Annie Moore is the first immigrant processed
1907
More than one million immigrants arrive in a single year
1924
The Immigration Act sharply limits immigration
1954
Ellis Island closes

Then & Now

The choices made back then are why the world looks like this now.

Question 1 of 2

What was the purpose of Ellis Island?

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Question 2 of 2

When did Ellis Island open?

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