In 1620, 102 passengers crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower. Nearly half died that first winter but 26 family lines survived. Today, more than 35 million people can trace their ancestry back to those survivors. | Just Facts.

On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower set sail from England, carrying Pilgrims in pursuit of religious freedom. Midway across the Atlantic, disaster struck when the ship’s mast broke. But thanks to ingenuity—and a jackscrew from a printing press—the mast was repaired, and the voyage continued. That determination carried them across the ocean and into history, laying the foundation for a new chapter in the story of liberty. | American Journey Experience