On this day in 1825, the sloop Restauration arrived in New York City, from Norway, the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States. There are more than 4.5 million Norwegian Americans, according to the 2021 U.S. census; most live in the Upper Midwest and on the West Coast of the United States.
The descendants of these immigrants are referred to as “Sloopers”, in reference to the sloop ship that brought them from Norway. Many of the 1825 immigrants moved on from the Kendall Settlement in upstate New York in the mid-1830s, settling in Illinois and Wisconsin. These “Sloopers” gave impetus to the westward movement of Norwegians.
Between 1825 and 1925, more than 800,000 Norwegians immigrated to North America—about one-third of Norway’s population with the majority immigrating to the U.S., and lesser numbers immigrating to the Dominion of Canada. With the exception of Ireland, no single country contributed a larger percentage of its population to the United States than Norway.
U.S. postage stamp featuring the ship Restauration issued in honor of the 100th anniversary of Norwegian immigration
Here’s today’s musical selection, going out to all the people on the Gulf Coast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAb8Q9X2xAc
