Ellis Island: In Pictures (2:27)
Go behind the scenes at Ellis Island with photographer Stephen Wilkes, who spent years documenting the place. What are his favorite images of the Ellis Island experience? Find out more.
Related Videos (10)
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Ellis Island: In Pictures
Ellis Island: In PicturesVideo Clip (2:27)
Video Clip (2:27)
Go behind the scenes at Ellis Island with photographer Stephen Wilkes, who spent years documenting the place. What are his favorite images of the Ellis Island experience? Find out more.
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Immigrants Reunited With Loved Ones
Immigrants Reunited With Loved OnesVideo Clip (2:21)
Video Clip (2:21)
The Stairs of Separation were very significant in the Ferry Building on Ellis Island. If you were leaving you would walk down the center of the staircase. If you were staying you would walk down the left or right side.
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Immigrants Detained at Ellis Island
Immigrants Detained at Ellis IslandVideo Clip (1:57)
Video Clip (1:57)
Some immigrants at New York's Ellis Island were detained for legal or medical reasons. Where were these detainees taken and how long were they typically held? Find out more.
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Guided Tour of Ferry Building at Ellis Island
Guided Tour of Ferry Building at Ellis IslandVideo Clip (2:21)
Video Clip (2:21)
After successfully passing the Ellis Island screening process, immigrants departed from the Ferry Building and started their new lives in America. What does the Ferry Building look like today? Find out more with a behind-the-scenes tour.
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Magical Lighting of Ellis Island
Magical Lighting of Ellis IslandVideo Clip (1:58)
Video Clip (1:58)
What does Ellis Island look like today? Go behind the scenes with photographer Stephen Wilkes, who discusses the importance of light in his photographs of this place where millions of immigrants once passed through.
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Passing the Medical Inspection at Ellis Island
Passing the Medical Inspection at Ellis IslandVideo Clip (1:57)
Video Clip (1:57)
Upon arrival at Ellis Island, immigrants had a medical exam. Most passed, but some didn't. What happened to these immigrants next? Find out more.
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Ellis Island's Dark Underbelly in Pictures
Ellis Island's Dark Underbelly in PicturesVideo Clip (3:12)
Video Clip (3:12)
Photographer Stephen Wilkes discusses the years he spent taking pictures of Ellis Island. Why are some of his favorite images from the island's South Side, home of the hospital where sick immigrants were treated? Find out more.
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Ellis Island: Registering as an American Citizen
Ellis Island: Registering as an American CitizenVideo Clip (2:07)
Video Clip (2:07)
At New York's Ellis Island, immigrants were required to pass a medical inspection and legal exam. What kinds of questions were asked during the legal exam and was it difficult to pass? Find out more.
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Inspect Ellis Island's Hospital Complex
Inspect Ellis Island's Hospital ComplexVideo Clip (3:24)
Video Clip (3:24)
Ellis Island housed a modern hospital where sick immigrants were treated--some even stayed for several years. What was the experience like, especially for those who'd never had access to doctors back home? Find out more.
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Importance of the Citizenship Exam
Importance of the Citizenship ExamVideo Clip (2:23)
Video Clip (2:23)
Why take the citizenship test? The History Channel tells us why.
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