On this day, November the 12th, in the year of 1954, Ellis Island, the former hub for immigrants immigrating into the United States, closed its doors for official operation.

First being used for immigration purposes in 1892 (previously being a military fort), through 1924, the island saw the processing of around twelve million immigrants, primarily from Europe.

After this date, immigration at the island and in general slowed due to the passing of laws in effort to slow immigation to the U.S., the Immigration Act of 1924 being the most potent (FamilySearch).

Though, immigtarion to America still occurred at the island until 1943, when most of the roles done at the island were moved to Manhattan Island.

From then until 1954, it served as a detention center for deportation.

The National Park Service resumed action at the site in 1976, giving tours of the island and eventually housing an immigrant museum to today (Britannica).

As of 2014, forty percent of Americans can trace some family history towards Ellis Island (Washington Post).