Honoring the 100-year anniversary of the Angel Island Immigration Station, the California State Parks, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services threw a party in San Francisco this morning, complete with "a slideshow of historic photos, comments by dignitaries, recognition to detainees who once lived there and the swearing in of 100 new immigrants who took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States and became U.S. citizens."
In addition to celebrating this historic date -- the "West Coast’s gateway to America," saw immigrants from 80 countries processed through its doors, and reopened last year after a five-year, $15 million restoration -- President Barack Obama officially declared January 21 "Nation Angel Island Day."
Obama's proclaimation is as follows: NATIONAL ANGEL ISLAND DAY, 2010 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATIONOne hundred years ago, the Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay opened for the first time, and an important chapter of the American narrative began. It would be written by those who walked through the station's doors over the next three decades. From the cities, villages, and farms of their birth, they journeyed across the Pacific, seeking better lives for themselves and their children. Many arrived at Angel Island, weary but hopeful, only to be unjustly confined for months or, in some cases, years. As we remember their struggle, we honor all who have been drawn to America by dreams of limitless opportunity.
