History of Ellis Island

Ellis Island has served as the embodiment of the melting pot many refer to today as the United States. The background of this great institution is sewn into the very fabric of American history not only in terms of immigration but also from a conceptual standpoint, referring to the core values of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" ingrained into the United States by the great Thomas Jefferson.

Ellis Island as a noble tenure

During the time in which Ellis Island was in operation (from 1892-1954) there were thousands upon thousands of immigrants who emigrated from other countries each year, to pursue better lives in the United States. In the long run, there were million of people who made it through the island to become citizens of the United States. As a result of this history, the island served as the origin for the diversity that helped spurn the growth of the country and economy (as a result of immigrant labor in the industrializing United States at the time). Also, because many people today have ancestry dating back to Ellis Island, the island has shown over time that America is a place for opportunity, diversity and growth. However, following its shutdown in 1972, the island has existed as a reminder of America's immigrant background, and continues to serve that liaison role today.

With all that Ellis Island has done to showcase what America stands for, it has proven that it is an institution embodying the very values that made this country.