From immigrants to innovators: Shaping Boston's past and future

In the early 20th century, Boston Harbor was one of the busiest ports of entry to the U.S. Immigrants fleeing persecution, ravaged economies, or famine came to Boston for safety, freedom, and work. By the 1910s, nearly 40% of the city’s population were immigrants. They filled our factories; unloaded cargo at our docks; built our roads, bridges, train tracks, and subway tunnels; and started successful small businesses.
Today, Massachusetts has the sixth-highest percentage of immigrants in t