This programs is told by many people, mostly immigrants and descendants from immigrants who recall the beginning of fulfilling the American Dream. It is also the story of Ellis Island.
1808: The U.S government buys Ellis Island from New York for 10 000$
1847: Ellis Island is proposed as a depot to house thousands of Irish immigrants. But Castle Garden is chosen instead and serves as a depot till 1890.
1890: The federal government sets a bureau of immigration and selects Ellis Island as the site for the construction of a new federal immigration station.
1892: Ellis Island station is opened
1897: A fire destroys the original wooden building on Ellis Island.
1900: A new building designed by Boring and Tilton is opened on Ellis Island.
1907: In one day, 11747 immigrants pass through Ellis Island.
1924: The flow of immigrants starts to decrease.
1943: Ellis Island becomes a detention center for enemy aliens.
1954: Ellis Island closes. Twelve million immigrants have passed through the island since 1892.
1965: Ellis Island is part of the National Park services.
1990: Ellis Island Immigration Museum opens.