Many later immigrants, during the century between 1820 and 1920, came from Central and Eastern Europe; Russians, Slavs, and Germans. Many were Jewish. Political oppression, crop failures, and lack of arable land resulted also in waves of Irish, Greeks, and Italians seeking a better life in America. The Homestead Act of 1862 promised free land to those who lived on the land for five years and made improvements to it, such as adding buildings and cultivating the fields for farming. The Homestead Act was advertised in both America and Europe, and encouraged many eager families to settle in the western United States and Alaska. Many Asians, especially Chinese, came to America during the gold rushes of the 1800s and the subsequent efforts to build a transcontinental railroad. 

Each of these groups was accustomed to living under a particular type of government. Each had their own culture and customs, their own music, food, religion, and holidays.

The painting at the right shows a scene of Danish emigrants at Larsen’s Plads leaving for America together with their relatives saying goodbye. Larsen’s Plads was a site in in the Port of Copenhagen (located where Amaliehaven lies today) from where many Danish people set off to America. This westbound route started off at Copenhagen calling at Kristiania (Oslo) and Kristiansand before crossing the Atlantic to New York. Painted by Edvard Petersen in 1890.