There are lots of fun facts about Ellis Island. Did you know that:

• Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor, is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
• Ellis Island served as an immigration station from 1892 to 1954. More than 12 million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island. Roughly one half of all Americans have at least one ancestor who passed through here.
• Ellis Island didn't welcome all the newly arrived. First and second class passengers were screened aboard the ship and, unless ill, disembarked at the pier. Third class or steerage passengers were ferried to Ellis Island where they underwent a physical examination and were subject to a mental assessment. The reason for the disparate treatment? Immigrants that could afford a first or second-class ticket were thought to be a lower risk to society.
• Ellis Island has been called many different names. Local Indian tribes referred to it as Kioshk or Gull Island. Ellis Island was called Oyster Island during the Dutch and English colonial periods. Immigrants nicknamed the island both Island of Tears and Island of Hope. The island gets its current name from its last private owner, Samuel Ellis.
• Ellis Island is considered a New York City attraction yet only a small portion of the isle is in New York. Some 80% of Ellis Island sits within the state of New Jersey.
• Ellis Island is 9 times its original 3-acre size. Earth removed from subway tunnels was used to make Ellis Island larger.