President Obama declared January 21, “National Angel Island Day.” Thursday marks the 100-year anniversary of the Angel Island Immigration Station.

“…I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do more hereby proclaim January 21, 2010, as National Angel Island Day…”

(via The SFist)

Angel Island is located in San Francisco Bay and was used as an immigration center. The immigration center processed approximately one million Asians. Immigrants were detained and interrogated at the station from 1910-1940. The interrogation process sometimes took weeks, even months.

President Obama also mentioned in his proclamation that people should familiarize themselves with the island’s history. “I call upon the people of the United States to learn more about the history of Angel Island and to observe this anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
 

[Photo via Franco Folini]