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The historical timeline of American immigration includes many milestones, but
few compare with the events of April 17, 1907. On that single day, immigration
officials stationed in the Port of New York processed 11,747 arrivals through
the famed Ellis Island receiving station. In the century that has passed, that
single day marks the culmination of a peak period for immigrant arrivals
through the "Golden Door" to America.
Today, only faded photographs and second-generation memories remain from that
period in American history. International travel has become commonplace for
many, with the speed and convenience of air travel making it that much harder
to appreciate the true Ellis Island immigrant experience. By any measure,
processing this many passengers through a single port, in a single day was an
astounding acomplishment — especially with so much at stake for each
arrival.
One word often associated with the immigrant experience is sacrifice. From an
immigration perspective, few would know the meaning of that word better than a
young family from the Netherlands who arrived through New York harbor in March
1907. Through a series of events, Evert Jan Natte
and his wife Cato would have a front-row seat throughout April 1907 and
become part of American immigration history.
Full Press Release
Immigration Factoids
A 1907 Immigrant Family Story
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation will celebrate this centennial by
holding its 6th Annual Ellis
Island Family Heritage Awards. These awards will honor three
outstanding Americans with roots to Ellis Island: Mike ("Coach K") Krzyzewski
in Sports, Bill Novelli in Public Service, and John Mack in Business. The
Peopling of America Award, honoring an immigrant from another time period or
different port of entry, will salute fashion entrepreneur Josie Natori.
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