By: Mr. Farthing American History Period 4

Population Data How many live in the United States? Approximately, there are 12 million Scandinavian Americans which accounts for about 4% of the population. Source: factfinder.census.gov How many live in Chicago and/or surround suburbs? “In the 2000 census, more than 123,000 residents of the metropolitan region cited Swedish as their main ethnic identity.” Encyclopedia of Chicago

Reason for Leaving Homeland Between , more than 2 million Scandinavians immigrated to the United States. Most of immigrants were of Swedish decent. Although the economies of the Scandinavians countries were well off, citizens of Sweden, Norway, and Finland were often forced into fighting with countries such as Russia and Germany during World War I and World War II. Scandinavians primarily came to the United States because of its vast amount of farm land. Countries in the Scandinavian region as very mountainous which makes it difficult to grow crops. Source: Oregon Historical Society Swedish mountain range Minnesota farmland

Chicago Neighborhood Where in Chicago does your ethnic group primarily live? Immigrants of Scandinavian decent primarily settled in the neighborhood of Chicago known as Andersonville. The neighborhood is located north of downtown Chicago and relatively near Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

Describe the Neighborhood. Name one well-known restaurant Uncommon Ground. The restaurant features a rooftop garden where herbs and vegetables are grown to be used in the restaurant's meals. Name one well-known cultural center (i.e., museum) OR other place or building to visit in the area. Swedish American Museum. The SAM features a permanent exhibit depicting the immigration experience of the first Swedish settlers in Chicago. There is also a current exhibit titled “Mapping Empty Spaces” which highlights immigrant’s stories from the past and present. Source:

Famous Swedish Americans Carl Sandburg Born in Galesburg, IL Lived in Evanston, just north of Chicago Famous writer and poet; his poem titled “Chicago” exemplified the conditions of the city in the early 1900s Charles Lindberg Piloted first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927

Typical Swedish Meal Swedish meatballs Served with mashed potatoes and berry sauce How to make Swedish meatballs Swedish pancakes Thin pancakes topped with berry sauce Source:

Festivals, Holidays, Parades Swedish people celebrate some of the same holidays are Americans, such as Halloween, Christmas, and Easter. Some other ethnic holidays include: Midsommar (June) - Celebration of the sun; people stay up on the longest day of the year; festival traced back to Viking era Crayfish Party (August) - Crayfish feast in which adults gather and celebrate the crayfish harvest Cinnamon Bun Day (October 4 th ) - Symbolizes Swedish home baking; started in 1999 Source:

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