Immigration is often framed in black-and-white terms: legal or illegal, welcome or unwanted. But the real story is far more complicated—and human. For centuries, people have crossed oceans, borders, and invisible lines in search of something better. Some found it. Others found hardship. But all of them helped shape the messy, remarkable fabric of the … Continue reading Immigration in America: 6 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Learn in School
Manjirō Nakahama: A Japanese Pioneer’s Odyssey from Shipwreck to Gold Rush
Manjirō Nakahama, at the young age of 14, was a fisherman who, along with four companions, found himself stranded on an island following a shipwreck. Their rescue arrived in the form of an American whaleship, which transported them to Honolulu. While his friends decided to stay in Honolulu, Manjirō ventured onwards to Massachusetts. This journey marked him as the first Japanese individual to set foot on the mainland of the United States.
Immediately following his arrival in Massachusetts, Manjirō embarked on a journey towards the California Gold Rush. His venture led him to San Francisco in May 1850. From there, he traversed up the Sacramento River via a steamboat and ventured deep into the mountains. After a few months, his efforts yielded a significant amount of gold, which he exchanged for approximately 600 pieces of silver. With this wealth, Manjirō made the decision to seek a path back to his homeland, Japan.
Upon his return to Japan, Manjirō was honored with the prestigious rank of a samurai. In addition to this, he pursued a scholarly career and served as a professor at Tokyo Imperial University.
Thanksgiving Nuptials: NYC’s Chinese Immigrant Wedding Rush
In New York City, Thanksgiving holds the distinction of being the preferred wedding day for Chinese immigrants, given that it’s typically the one day when entire families aren’t working. Due to the high demand, restaurants must be reserved a year ahead, and it’s not uncommon for a single venue to accommodate up to 10 wedding receptions in a day.
Deportation Agent Discovers Own Undocumented Status
In 2023, Raul Rodriguez, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent responsible for the deportation of numerous individuals, was shocked to discover that he himself was undocumented. Upon presenting his birth certificate to assist his brother in obtaining U.S. citizenship, Rodriguez found out that his documents had been fabricated since birth, making him a non-citizen. As a result, he was promptly terminated from his position.
Interestingly, this case highlights the complexities of the U.S. immigration system and raises questions about the potential for others in similar situations. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of comprehensive immigration reform, which seeks to address such issues and provide a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented individuals living in the United States.
Chinese Cuisine’s American Journey: From Gold Rush to Fusion
Chinese cuisine first made its way to America during the California Gold Rush, which began in 1848. With an influx of around 30,000 immigrants hailing from the Canton region in China, these new arrivals established restaurants that served not only as sources of familiar flavors for the predominantly male demographic, but also as social hubs […]
Princess Susanna Caroline Matilda was a convicted…
Princess Susanna Caroline Matilda was a convicted thief who escaped to America in 1770 and lived like a queen after she convinced everyone she was royalty.
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Confederados is a population of 260,000 descendants…
Confederados is a population of 260,000 descendants of Southern US expatriates who fled to Brazil after the Civil War. They host an annual festival that includes fried chicken and Confederate flags and uniforms.
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There is a German founded village in Jamaica
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Ahn Changho his wife were the first married…
Ahn Changho and his wife were the first married Korean couple to immigrate to the US in 1902. He is credited with co-writing South Korea’s national anthem, and two of his sons, Philip Ahn and Ralph Ahn, went on to be actors in Hollywood. His son Philip is considered to be the first Korean American […]
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Laws restricting Chinese people…
Laws restricting Chinese people to merchant visas made many Chinese restaurants in the U.S. These visas were only for fancy shops and the person had to run it for a year. Some groups used all their cash to open a nice restaurant and then switch who ran it each year so that they’d all get […]
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