The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society Lecture Series: The Making of the Multicultural City: Immigration and New York City

Explore how and why so many millions have come to the U.S. and what challenges this tradition has posed to national identity, tolerance, and democracy. We'll examine the major immigrant groups (Irish, German, Chinese, Italian, and Jewish) who arrived in this period, the vibrant ethnic enclaves they established (i.e., Little Italy, Little Germany), the struggles they endured to earn a living, and the contributions they made to the city. This talk addresses many aspects of the immigrant experience, including tenement life, labor and the labor movement, and nativism.

Dr. Edward T. O’Donnell is a professional historian, author, and speaker. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA and his Ph.D. in American History from Columbia University. He is an Associate Professor of History at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA.