The Immigrant in American History

The Immigrant in American History

Beginning in 1776, this episode of The American Story traces the history of immigration to the United States. The narrator, Merle Evans of the New York Historical Society, describes conditions upon arriving in the United States challenges in assimilation, bigotry and government restrictions after the civil war to curb the influx of immigration.

This episode features a performance of the song "Pat Works on the Railway" by the American Ballad Singers.

The transcript, written by Carl Wittke of the [Case] Western Reserve University, is told exclusively from the perspective of European immigrants.

Produced in association with The Society of American Historians and the New York Historical Society.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 150130
Municipal archives id: LT6373