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The US enter World War I
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The Russian Civil War Begins
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World War I Ends
The armistice was signed between the Germans and the Allies. -
The First Red Scare
The US becomes concerned about communist movements in Russia and Germany. Many US residents feared immigrants, especially from Europe and South Europe. -
Rifka's Family Boards The Train Out of Berdichev
In order to escape the persecution and conscription in Russia, Rifka's family leave their home in Berdichev and begin the journey to America by stowing away on a train. -
Rifka's Family Enters Poland
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Rifka's Family Gets Typhus
Rifka begins to feel ill, because she has typhus and everyone in her family except Saul also gets typhus. They stop to recover. -
Rifka Can't Get a Ticket to America
She has contracted ringworm from someone on the train and cannot get a ticket to America. Her family leaves without her and shortly after, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society in Belgium takes her in. -
Rifka Goes to Antwerp, Belgium
In Antwerp, she lives in a beautiful home and receives treatment for her ringworm. -
The Roaring Twenties Begin
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Rifka Eats a Banana for the First Time!
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Women Get the Right to Vote in the US
The 19th Amendment was ratified. -
Rifka Sails to America
The ringworm has cleared up. She gets a steerage ticket to a boat headed to America, leaving Antwerp behind, -
Pieter Dies
Rifka's new friend Pieter dies in a storm on the ship. -
Rifka Arrives at Ellis Island
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Rifka Is Held at Ellis Island
She is held at the hospital for failing her medical examination, but it was really because she doesn't have hair and they think she'll have a hard time getting married. -
Saul Visits
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Rifka's Mother Visits
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Rifka and Ilya Are Permitted To Enter America
Rifka convinces the officials that she and Ilya can succeed in life and they are permitted to enter America! -
The Soviet Union is Created