Anastasia Koutsivitis
In June of 1853, Edward Everett gave a lecture on “The Discovery and Colonization of America, and Immigration to the United States,” to the New York Historical Society. He outlined early European exploration of the Americas and how the eventual mass immigration was impactful. Everett emphasized that it was immigrants, those who fled persecution, poverty, religious discourse, and more, who built and shaped the nation. These cultures and ideals defined the United States when it was taking its early form. Edward Everett also spoke on the mid-19th century mission and destiny in America, showing how people of the time understood settlement and exploration through an idealized lens.
To me, liberty is having the courage to leave what you know in pursuit of a better life. This document emphasizes the resilience of immigration, which resonates with me deeply as a daughter of Greek immigrants. Growing up I’ve heard the stories of why my family left Greece, and it was ultimately to escape poverty and achieve the American dream. I understand the sacrifices it takes to leave your home for a new country, food, language, and to work hard in order to make it. Everett focuses that the country is heavily built off the hard work of immigrants, which couldn’t be more true. Living in New York City my whole life, I’ve been able to see just how the efforts of immigrants improve and spread love to the city. That’s exactly what liberty is and has come to be for me.
--Anastasia Koutsivitis ‘29
Edward Everett.
The discovery and colonization of America, and immigration to the United States : a lecture delivered before the New York Historical Society, in Metropolitan Hall, on the 1st of June, 1853
Lehigh University Catalog Record: https://asa.lib.lehigh.edu/asa/Record/259344
A version of this text has been digitized and is available through the Internet Archive.