Lebanese Americans

Lebanese immigration, by both Christians and Muslims, to the United States began in 1878. By the late 1800s, immigration from Lebanon began in earnest. The country, which had been conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the mid-1800s, suffered severe economic and political struggles. In addition, World War 1 brought famine to the area, and many Lebanese left their native country to find a more stable and prosperous life in the United States. The peak immigration period was between 1913 and 1914, when 9,000 Lebanese arrived in America. "Where the Twain Shall MeetLebanese in Cortland County" provides historical background on Lebanese immigrants who came to the United States and settled in Cortland County in upstate New York. There, first generation Lebanese immigrants primarily worked as farmers and as peddlers. Peddling was the primary means of earning a living for many new Lebanese immigrants. Lebanese immigrants...

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