Ellis Island

On April 11, 1907, Ellis Island processed 11,747 people, the most of any one day in its history. Because of this, April the eleventh is celebrated as National Ellis Island and Family History Day. It's a good time to reflect on the history of the United States, its immigrants, and our personal histories.

Ellis Island remained the nation's busiest immigration inspection station from 1892 until 1954. Over 12 million immigrants came though the facility. It's located in Upper New York Bay, part of New York City and part of New Jersey. The federal government has always owned and run the island since 1808, and the National Park Service has overseen it since 1965.

The Immigrant Quota Act of 1921 limited the number of immigrants allowed into the country, and the numbers being admitted greatly declined. The bill effectively ended the era of mass immigration. Therefore after 1924, Ellis Island became mainly a detention and deportation facility. However, it had become and would remain an important part of America's history.

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