What Was Ellis Island Really Like? [from American History Hotline]

About this episode

The episode explores the real experiences of immigrants passing through Ellis Island and its significance in American immigration history.

What was it really like to come to America through Ellis Island? For millions of immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this little spit of land in New York Harbor was the gateway to a better future … IF they could pass a physical exam. To get the real-life experience of coming through Ellis Island, Bob calls up historian Vincent Cannato (author of American Passage: The History of Ellis Island – A Sweeping Epic of Immigration at the Nation's Landmark Port of Entry ). From quick and dirty medical exams to some weird name changes, Cannato separates fact from fiction, and explains why Ellis Island is synonymous with American immigration. We’ll also explore how Ellis Island marked a turning point in American immigration policy — with power shifting from the states to the federal government. And why is Ellis Island viewed with such nostalgia while Angel Island in San Francisco Bay is not? We’ve got all that and more in this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Bob

Guest: Vincent Cannato

Topics covered

• immigration
• Ellis Island
• American history
• historical analysis
• cultural nostalgia

Keywords

• Ellis Island
• immigration
• Vincent Cannato
• American history
• medical exams
• name changes
• federal government
• Angel Island

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American History Hotline

Books & works: American Passage: The History of Ellis Island – A Sweeping Epic of Immigration at the Nation's Landmark Port of Entry

Places: Ellis Island, New York Harbor, Angel Island, San Francisco Bay

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