On The Feather’s second day in New York City, staffers observe famous landmarks, The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on Circle Line Ferry cruise, March 12.

Ellis Island served as a federal immigration for 60 years with millions of immigrants passing through the station. Many people were from eastern and southern Europe, and many were escaping poverty and conflict.

An estimated 40% of all current U.S. citizens can trace at least one ancestor back to Ellis Island. Immigrant Annie Moore, 15 years old, was the first person to arrive at Ellis Island, Jan. 1, 1892. She arrived on her fifteenth birthday.

Due to landfill and excess earth from subway construction, the physical island grew from 3.3 acres to 27.5 acres over the years. 

In 1900 and 1914, 5,000 to 10,000 immigrants passed through the station each day. In 1921 the ‘Passage of Immigrant Quota Act’ ended the era of mass immigration in New York.

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France in 1886, spans 35 feet wide and stands 111 feet and six inches tall. ‘Lady Liberty’s’ full name, Liberty Enlightening the World, represents liberty for the American people.

She holds a torch and a tablet with an inscription of America’s independence date, July 4, 1776. 

Lady Liberty’s shoe size would be approximately 879.

The Feather brings you a week-long series, highlighting various popular tourist New York attractions. Be sure to check out other related articles and photo posts about The Feather’s adventures in NYC such as Feather takes NY: day two.

Slideshow below includes images from Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

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For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2017-18.