Early Chicago, 1833–1871
A Selection of Documents from the Illinois State Archives

DOCUMENT 48

INVITATION TO A COLUMBUS DAY CELEBRATION
October 11, 1869

Explanation

According to the 1870 federal census, the foreign-born population of Chicago was distributed as follows:

Germany	59,299		Italy	552
Ireland	39,988		Belgium	392
England	10,027		Switzerland	226
Wales	565		Poland	1,205
Scotland	4,197		Russia	118
Norway	6,374		British America	9,648
Sweden	6,154		Miscellaneous	511
Denmark	1,243
Holland	1,640
France	1,418		TOTAL	144,557

Foreign-born immigrants represented 48.35 percent of the overall population. Italians represented 0.18 percent of the overall population and 0.38 percent of the foreign-born population. A weekly Italian language newspaper, L'Unione Italiano was begun on August 6, 1867, and it was succeeded by Il Messaggiere Italiano dell'Ouest on November 21, 1868. Most Italian-born immigrants worked in trades or manufacturing industries with a few working as professionals or domestics.

The full council accepted the invitation.

Points to Consider

What kind of ethnic celebration was being held and which kinds of food likely would have been available? Would they have been consciously "ethnic" then, or trying to pass as "Americans?"

Why were these Italians seeking recognition?

Why would councilmen choose to attend or not attend?

What was the percentage of Italian-born immigrants in Chicago at this time?

See Related Document:

8, 17, 23, 26, and 49