ELLIS ISLAND

Open from 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island was an immigration centre and all the immigrants had to stop there to undergo numerous and varied examinations before being allowed to enter America. 

All the newcomers hoped for a new life, they wanted to start from scratch and live their own American Dream. Here is one of the most famous pictures, showing a whole family (on Ellis Island) waiting for the longed-for authorization to set foot on the American soil.

If you want to know a bit more about Ellis Island, here is a very interesting link ( worth visiting):

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/

Where did the immigrants come from ( late 19th / early 20th century) ?

Historical, economic context

http://www.pbs.org/destinationamerica/usim_wn.html