The Year Is 1886

The year is 1886. You are 16 years old and have immigrated from Poland with your family. What may have been your experience in the U.S.?

A) You joined the 15 million other immigrants who came to the U.S. between 1830 and 1930.
B) You or your parents may have worked in a clothing factory, as three-quarters of such employees were foreign-born.
C) You quickly joined the middle class, unlike other immigrants from other countries who tended to be poor.
D) Your father went to work, but your mother likely stayed at home and cared for her large family.
E) Your parents had realistic expectations of what life in the U.S. would be like.