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Immigration has been a part of the United States since the beginning. As we celebrate the country’s 250th birthday in 2026, it’s important to recognize this history, and what better place to learn than in the classroom?
The ILC’s Public Education Institute has curated this collection of lessons, videos, articles and more for teachers and educators who want to tie in the history and legacy of immigration in the early days of the United States with America’s 250th birthday celebrations. This includes our free resource bundle, “Immigration and the American Revolution,” which features two lesson plans that can fit into existing curricula.
Featured Resources
Immigration and the American Revolution
Immigration during the formation of the United States is a nuanced and fascinating topic. This free resource bundle from The ILC’s Teaching U.S. Immigration series features two lesson plans that look at why people migrated to the future United States, at what point could we classify them as immigrants and how early regulation set the stage for what immigrants face in the present.
A Brief History of U.S. Immigration Policy from the Colonial Period to the Present Day
This comprehensive overview of U.S. immigration policy from the Cato Institute includes sections on the Colonial Period before the Revolutionary War, during the war and after ratification of the Constitution.
Foreign-Born Patriots of the American Revolution
Who are the foreign-born figures of the American Revolution your students need to know about? These short bios on America’s National Parks website of patriots including Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben can help.
Search 250 Immigrant America Resources
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You can also check out the other collections in the Educator Resource Hub on topics relevant to teachers and educators to learn about other strategies for supporting immigrant students and gain tools for your classrooms.
You can browse or search this collection by keyword, resource type and student level.
Immigration and the American Revolution lesson bundle
This free lesson bundle features primary sources, activity instructions and more tools for teaching immigration during the United States' early years.
Source: The Immigrant Learning Center
Immigration in New York State, 1650-1950: Immigrants Move Inland
Essay and primary sources from the New York Heritage digital collection about immigrants in New York in the late 1700s.
Source: New York Heritage
1754-1800: Immigration to and Migration within America
Essays and primary sources about immigration to and migration within America between 1754 and 1800.
Source: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Foreign Fighters for the American Cause of Independence
This short article highlights key foreign-born American Revolution fighters, including Marquis de Lafayette, Baron von Steuben and others.
Source: American Battlefield Trust
Foreign-Born Patriots of the American Revolution
Short bios of five key foreign-born patriots of the American Revolution
Source: America's National Parks
The Immigrant Revolution: Rhenish and Scots-Irish Colonists, Westward Expansion, and the Remaking of British North America, 1740-1775
Dissertation arguing that immigrants radically reshaped British North America in the late-colonial period before the American Revolution.
Source: Daniel M. Crown, Boston College
Spanish Influence on the American Revolution
Free suite of resources to explore Spain’s strategic contributions to the American Revolution through primary sources, videos, scholarly essays, lesson plans, and more.
Source: Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Louisiana’s Hidden History: Spanish Louisiana in the American Revolution
Videos and lessons that explore how Spanish Louisiana supported the American Patriots in their fight for independence.
Source: PBS LearningMedia
‘People of the Revolution’ Mini Lesson Plan
A mini lesson plan that introduces the diverse peoples living in British North America as the Revolution unfolded.
Source: Museum of the American Revolution
Irish Claims to the Revolution
Essay from the National Park Service about Irish immigrants advocating to be included in centennial celebrations in the 1870s.
Source: National Park Service
Immigration and Migration (Colonial Era)
Essay and photos that explore immigration and migration to Philadelphia during the Colonial Era.
Source: Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
A Brief History of U.S. Immigration Policy from the Colonial Period to the Present Day
An overview of U.S. immigration policy across history. It includes sections on "The Colonial Period" and "The Forging of a Nation: 1776-1830."
Source: Cato Institute
If you have any questions about this collection, feedback or a resource you’d recommend, please email public.education@ilctr.org.