The Ferry Building on Ellis Island (2:18)
The Ferry Building was the starting point for new Americans on Ellis Island. Those who passed inspection waited there for boats to Manhattan and New Jersey. Explore this landmark of history, now totally restored.
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Related Videos (10)
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The Ferry Building on Ellis Island
The Ferry Building on Ellis IslandVideo Clip (2:18)
Video Clip (2:18)
The Ferry Building was the starting point for new Americans on Ellis Island. Those who passed inspection waited there for boats to Manhattan and New Jersey. Explore this landmark of history, now totally restored.
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The Ellis Island Medical Inspection
The Ellis Island Medical InspectionVideo Clip (2:56)
Video Clip (2:56)
Upon arrival at Ellis Island, potential immigrants had to undergo medical screening. Most passed, but some didn't. Find out what happened to those who were not in the best of health.
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The Light of Ellis Island
The Light of Ellis IslandVideo Clip (1:51)
Video Clip (1:51)
The light of Ellis Island is infused with history and emotion. Photographer Stephen Wilkes, creator of the book "Ghosts of Freedom," describes the inspiration of the many souls who passed through this historic venue.
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The Dark Underbelly of Ellis Island
The Dark Underbelly of Ellis IslandVideo Clip (2:59)
Video Clip (2:59)
The spirit of Ellis Island is captured in Stephen Wilkes' book of photographs entitled "Ghosts of Freedom." Wilkes spent over five years photographing Ellis Island, where both of his grandparents came to America.
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The Ellis Island Hospital
The Ellis Island HospitalVideo Clip (3:09)
Video Clip (3:09)
The south side of Ellis Island featured a public health hospital where about 10 percent of immigrants would have to go for further medical inspection. The Ellis Island hospital was also the birthplace of 355 babies.
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Detained at Ellis Island
Detained at Ellis IslandVideo Clip (1:54)
Video Clip (1:54)
Immigrants detained on Ellis Island for legal or medical reasons spent a night in the Ferry Building. Hear the stories of those who lived this through unforgettable experience.
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Ellis Island In Pictures
Ellis Island In PicturesVideo Clip (2:23)
Video Clip (2:23)
Experience Ellis Island from the viewfinder of photographer Stephen Wilkes, who spent years photo documenting the historic site.
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Hurdles to Citizenship on Ellis Island
Hurdles to Citizenship on Ellis IslandVideo Clip (2:05)
Video Clip (2:05)
The road to America passed through Ellis Island, but there were a few hurdles to clear before passage was granted. In addition to a medical exam, there was a bit of a pop quiz. Could you pass the test?
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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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What Does it Mean to Be an American Citizen?
What Does it Mean to Be an American Citizen?Video Clip (2:32)
Video Clip (2:32)
The History Channel shares what it's really like to be an American.
Related Speeches & Audio (7)
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Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Bush on the Fall of the Berlin WallAudio Clip (0:32)
Audio Clip (0:32)
The day after the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 20, 1989, President George H. W. Bush met with West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher to discuss plans for the reunification of Germany. As a token of his gratitude to the United States, Genscher brought President Bush a piece of the Berlin Wall. In a press conference, Bush thanks the foreign minister for the gift.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Delivers D-Day Prayer
Franklin D. Roosevelt Delivers D-Day PrayerAudio Clip (3:37)
Audio Clip (3:37)
In a national radio broadcast on June 6, 1944, as 160,000 Allied troops land in Normandy in an attempt to liberate France, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asks America to join him in a prayer.
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Bush Calls for Glasnost in East Berlin
Bush Calls for Glasnost in East BerlinAudio Clip (2:55)
Audio Clip (2:55)
On May 31, 1989, in a speech delivered in Mainz, West Germany, President George H. W. Bush emphasizes America's desire to see the barriers between the east and west come down.
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Reagan Demands Fall of Berlin Wall
Reagan Demands Fall of Berlin WallAudio Clip (1:08)
Audio Clip (1:08)
On June 12, 1987, in a speech delivered from the Brandenburg Gate in West Germany, President Ronald Reagan makes one of his most famous statements when he calls on Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.
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West German Foreign Minister on Fall of Berlin Wall
West German Foreign Minister on Fall of Berlin WallAudio Clip (1:34)
Audio Clip (1:34)
West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher traveled to the U.S. to meet with President George H.W. Bush the day after the November 20, 1989, fall of the Berlin Wall. In his public remarks, Genscher pledges to encourage democratic reform.
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Conditions at Japanese Internment Camps
Conditions at Japanese Internment CampsAudio Clip (3:47)
Audio Clip (3:47)
In a 1943 radio broadcast, Dillon S. Meyer, director of the War Relocation Authority, conveys his disapproval of the Japanese internment camps, which he has been overseeing since they were instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942.
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John F. Kennedy Rallies Hope for Berlin
John F. Kennedy Rallies Hope for BerlinAudio Clip (3:22)
Audio Clip (3:22)
In a speech delivered in Berlin on June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy expresses his hopes for the reunification of Germany and shows solidarity with the crowd when he says, "I take pride in the words: Ich bin ein Berliner."
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