The United States marks its 250th anniversary in 2026. To understand how our nation came to be, we invite you to think about how immigrants have shaped the United States, starting right here in Milwaukee.

Indigenous Peoples were the first to live on this land. Later, waves of immigrants arrived, changing the community and creating the Milwaukee we know today. Examining immigration in Milwaukee offers a window into the larger American story.

For over 180 years, immigrants have shaped Milwaukee’s economy, neighborhoods, and culture. Waves of German, Polish, Italian, and Irish newcomers built businesses to grow the city in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their skills and labor established Milwaukee as a center of industry and craftsmanship.

As new generations arrive from Latin America, Asia, Southwest Asia and North Africa (also referred to as the Middle East), and Africa, they bring traditions, languages, and foods that continue to redefine what it means to be American. Milwaukee’s diversity can be seen in its restaurants, festivals, and neighborhoods. Here, the legacies of past and present immigrants come together to shape the future.