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Ellis Island: Then and Now

Move the slider to compare views of Ellis Island from one hundred years ago and today. More than 20 million people passed through the federal immigration station between 1892 and 1954. It was restored as a museum and reopened to the public in 1976. (Photo Credit: Bettmann/Corbis)

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Interactives (6)

Videos (44)

  • Deconstructing History: Grand Central Terminal
    Deconstructing History: Grand Central Terminal

    Video Clip (2:56)

    Grand Central Terminal is one of America's busiest train stations, with over 700,000 people passing through it every day. Find out more about this iconic landmark.

    Video Clip (2:56)
  • Deconstructing History: Empire State Building
    Deconstructing History: Empire State Building

    Video Clip (1:59)

    The world-famous Empire State Building is a symbol of New York City and one of the world's most popular tourist attractions.

    Video Clip (1:59)
  • Deconstructing History: St. Patrick's Cathedral
    Deconstructing History: St. Patrick's Cathedral

    Video Clip (2:15)

    Get the facts on this iconic New York City landmark.

    Video Clip (2:15)
  • Deconstructing History: Ellis Island
    Deconstructing History: Ellis Island

    Video Clip (2:39)

    For over 60 years, Ellis Island was the gateway for millions of Americans to the United States. Explore the legacy of this symbol of American immigration.

    Video Clip (2:39)
  • Deconstructing History: Statue of Liberty
    Deconstructing History: Statue of Liberty

    Video Clip (1:29)

    How many steps are there to the crown of the Statue of Liberty? Find out that and other facts and figures about America's most recognizable symbol of freedom.

    Video Clip (1:29)
  • Hidden History: Federal Hall
    Hidden History: Federal Hall

    Video Clip (2:16)

    Did you know that George Washington was sworn in as president at Federal Hall? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Federal Hall.

    Video Clip (2:16)
  • Hidden History: Foley Square
    Hidden History: Foley Square

    Video Clip (2:33)

    Did you know that New York City's Supreme Court is built to float? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Foley Square.

    Video Clip (2:33)
  • Hidden History: Grand Central Clock
    Hidden History: Grand Central Clock

    Video Clip (1:48)

    Did you know that Grand Central is home to the largest Tiffany stained glass clock in the world? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Grand Central.

    Video Clip (1:48)
  • Hidden History: Grand Central Terminal
    Hidden History: Grand Central Terminal

    Video Clip (1:26)

    Did you know that there is a clock in the middle of Grand Central worth $20 million? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Grand Central Terminal.

    Video Clip (1:26)
  • Hidden History: Grand Central Underground 
    Hidden History: Grand Central Underground 

    Video Clip (1:52)

    Did you know that Hitler once sent spies to destroy the Grand Central train system? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of the Grand Central underground.

    Video Clip (1:52)
  • Hidden History: Madison Square Park
    Hidden History: Madison Square Park

    Video Clip (1:42)

    Did you know that the Statue of Liberty's torch once resided in Madison Square Park? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Madison Square Park.

    Video Clip (1:42)
  • Hidden History: Park Avenue
    Hidden History: Park Avenue

    Video Clip (2:00)

    Did you know that Park Avenue used to be a railroad line? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Park Avenue.

    Video Clip (2:00)
  • Hidden History: Pier 54
    Hidden History: Pier 54

    Video Clip (2:16)

    Did you know that Pier 54 once welcomed the survivors of the Titanic?  Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Pier 54.

    Video Clip (2:16)
  • Hidden History: Turtle Bay
    Hidden History: Turtle Bay

    Video Clip (2:02)

    Did you know that the United Nations was built on the former site of breweries and slaughterhouses? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Turtle Bay.

    Video Clip (2:02)
  • Hidden History: Union Square
    Hidden History: Union Square

    Video Clip (2:11)

    Did you know George Washington once rallied his troops at Union Square? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Union Square Park.

    Video Clip (2:11)
  • Hidden History: Wall Street
    Hidden History: Wall Street

    Video Clip (2:32)

    Did you know that Wall Street was named after an actual wall that once stretched across Manhattan? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Wall Street.

    Video Clip (2:32)
  • Hidden History: Washington Square Park
    Hidden History: Washington Square Park

    Video Clip (2:15)

    Did you know that the park was once a burial ground? Host Brian Unger reveals the hidden history of Washington Square Park.

    Video Clip (2:15)
  • The Brooklyn Bridge
    The Brooklyn Bridge

    Video Clip (3:08)

    Linking the borough of Brooklyn with Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a marvel of engineering.

    Video Clip (3:08)
  • Jacob Riis
    Jacob Riis

    Video Clip (2:07)

    Learn how photographer Jacob Riis changed the lives of New York Citiy's poor by exposing how they were forced to live.

    Video Clip (2:07)
  • The Statue of Liberty
    The Statue of Liberty

    Video Clip (3:12)

    What do the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty have in common?

    Video Clip (3:12)
  • NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade
    NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade

    Video Clip (2:00)

    The St. Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue is a New York City tradition, but did you know the first one was held even before the Declaration of Independence was signed?

    Video Clip (2:00)
  • Times Square Ball Drop
    Times Square Ball Drop

    Video Clip (3:37)

    The new year countdown in Times Square includes the iconic ball drop and attracts millions of people each year.

    Video Clip (3:37)
  • Recovering History
    Recovering History

    Video Clip (3:16)

    Immediately after the tragic events of September 11th, the nation's historians began a tremendous effort to collect as many objects and lost personal items from the day.

    Video Clip (3:16)
  • Volunteers
    Volunteers

    Video Clip (4:54)

    Over 10,000 people volunteered to aid workers during the cleanup and recovery of Ground Zero.

    Video Clip (4:54)
  • 9/11 Timeline
    9/11 Timeline

    Video Clip (4:54)

    A timeline of the events on September 11, 2001.

    Video Clip (4:54)
  • Collapse of the North Tower
    Collapse of the North Tower

    Video Clip (4:43)

    The fall of the North Tower - and a few of the personal stories from those who escaped those who had loved ones trapped inside.

    Video Clip (4:43)
  • Master Plan for Ground Zero
    Master Plan for Ground Zero

    Video Clip (3:37)

    Architects from all over the world participated in the design of the new World Trade Center site.

    Video Clip (3:37)
  • Construction at Ground Zero
    Construction at Ground Zero

    Video Clip (4:28)

    Construction is underway at the 16-acre World Trade Center site.

    Video Clip (4:28)
  • Archiving the WTC
    Archiving the WTC

    Video Clip (2:43)

    A part of the World Trade Center cleanup was organizing all artifacts -- large and small -- in a place big enough to hold everything. Ultimately, the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island served as the staging are for this work; here is a glimpse of how that was done.

    Video Clip (2:43)
  • Artifacts Lost
    Artifacts Lost

    Video Clip (4:15)

    The World Trade Center was home to some significant art and cultural collections. This segment from the History special, Relics of the Rubble, recalls these lost treasures.

    Video Clip (4:15)
  • Design of the Freedom Tower
    Design of the Freedom Tower

    Video Clip (2:36)

    David Childs tells us about the Freedom Tower.

    Video Clip (2:36)
  • Cleanup and Recovery
    Cleanup and Recovery

    Video Clip (4:32)

    Cleanup efforts at Ground Zero included the recovery and preservation of artifacts to be used in museum exhibits around the country.

    Video Clip (4:32)
  • Building the Towers
    Building the Towers

    Video Clip (4:10)

    A brief history of the conception and creation of the World Trade Center.

    Video Clip (4:10)
  • Escaping the South Tower
    Escaping the South Tower

    Video Clip (5:24)

    The remarkable story of Stanley Praimnath and Brian Clark's escape from the South Tower on 9/11.

    Video Clip (5:24)
  • Rebuilding Ground Zero
    Rebuilding Ground Zero

    Video Clip (2:13)

    Daniel Libeskind tells us his feelings about rebuilding Ground Zero.

    Video Clip (2:13)
  • Holidays: The Village Halloween Parade
    Holidays: The Village Halloween Parade

    Video Clip (2:35)

    In this History Channel video clip we learn about the New York Village Halloween Parade. Much preparation goes into making all the costumes for the parade through the work of volunteers.

    Video Clip (2:35)
  • Arrival at Ellis Island
    Arrival at Ellis Island

    Video Clip (3:44)

    Seen from inbound ships, the Statue of Liberty was an emotional welcome for immigrants coming to America. Hear from those who remember their first glimpse of this symbol of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

    Video Clip (3:44)
  • Super Cities: New York City
    Super Cities: New York City

    Video Clip (9:17)

    Central Park was intricately designed to fulfill the rural needs of urban dwellers.

    Video Clip (9:17)
  • Washington Escapes Brooklyn
    Washington Escapes Brooklyn

    Video Clip (2:05)

    As British General William Howe anticipates surrender, General Washington fleas across the East River under cover of darkness.

    Video Clip (2:05)
  • The New York City Skyline
    The New York City Skyline

    Video Clip (2:21)

    Footage of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty are captured from the water.

    Video Clip (2:21)
  • On the Road with Libby O'Connell: Turtle Bay, New York City
    On the Road with Libby O'Connell: Turtle Bay, New York City

    Video Clip (3:07)

    Libby goes on a tour of Turtle Bay, one of New York City's most historic districts, and current home to the United Nations.

    Video Clip (3:07)
  • Mega Disasters: New York City Hurricane
    Mega Disasters: New York City Hurricane

    Video Clip (2:53)

    What could happen if a massive hurricane made landfall in New York City?

    Video Clip (2:53)
  • The Gangs of New York City
    The Gangs of New York City

    Video Clip (3:28)

    From the Bowery Boys of the mid-19th century to its various gangs of today, New York City has a long history of gang activity.

    Video Clip (3:28)
  • This Day in History: 10/27/1904 - New York City Subway Opens
    This Day in History: 10/27/1904 - New York City Subway Opens

    Video Clip (1:00)

    In this "This Day in History" video clip learn about different events that have occurred on October 27th. Some of the events include DuPont's invention of nylon and Marilyn Monroe divorcing Joe DiMaggio.

    Video Clip (1:00)

Photo Galleries (2)

  • New York
    New York

    10 Photos

    New York State is known for iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, as well as its diverse natural beauty.

    (10 Photos)
  • 9/11 at the World Trade Center
    9/11 at the World Trade Center

    18 Photos

    On September 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. The towers collapsed and thousands of people were killed.

    (18 Photos)

Speeches & Audio (6)

  • WPLJ--Two World Trade Center is Hit
    WPLJ--Two World Trade Center is Hit

    Audio Clip (2:29)

    9/11 broadcast from NYC music radio station, WPLJ, after Two World Trade Center is hit. Courtesy of Scott and Todd in the Morning, 95.5 WPLJ.

    Audio Clip (2:29)
  • CBS--After North Tower Collapse
    CBS--After North Tower Collapse

    Audio Clip (2:34)

    Running for safety after One World Trade Center's collapse. Courtesy of WCBS Newsradio 880.

    Audio Clip (2:34)
  • CBS--Lower Manhattan After Terrorist Attack
    CBS--Lower Manhattan After Terrorist Attack

    Audio Clip (1:32)

    The scene in downtown Manhattan after the attack on the World Trade Center. Courtesy of WCBS Newsradio 880.

    Audio Clip (1:32)
  • CBS--North Tower Collapses
    CBS--North Tower Collapses

    Audio Clip (0:48)

    One World Trade Center collapses. Courtesy of WCBS Newsradio 880.

    Audio Clip (0:48)
  • CBS--World Trade Center After Attacks
    CBS--World Trade Center After Attacks

    Audio Clip (0:53)

    Chaos and confusion at the World Trade Center after the attacks. Courtesy of WCBS Newsradio 880.

    Audio Clip (0:53)
  • Alfred E. Smith on New York
    Alfred E. Smith on New York

    Audio Clip (2:57)

    Alfred Emanuel Smith, four-time governor of New York, speaks fondly of his home state, reflecting on New York's unique place in the history of the United States.

    Audio Clip (2:57)
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