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Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history.
Oscar Handlin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Immigrants are central to the story of America rather than just a chapter in it.

This quote by Oscar Handlin emphasizes the integral role of immigrants in shaping American history. Rather than viewing them as a separate group, Handlin asserts that immigrants are a fundamental part of the American narrative, highlighting their contributions and impact on the nation’s development.

Themes

ImmigrantsHistoryAmericaIdentityContribution

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech on immigration reform, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of immigrant contributions to American society.

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Quote by Oscar Handlin | QuoteProject