The United States experienced a significant rise in immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe during the late 19th century and early 20th century. This period is commonly referred to as the "Great Wave" of immigration and generally occurred from the 1880s to the 1920s.
The peak years of immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe varied slightly for different national groups within the region. However, overall, the highest influx of immigrants from these areas occurred between approximately 1890 and 1924.
During this time, millions of people from countries such as Italy, Russia, Poland, Greece, Hungary, and other Southern and Eastern European nations migrated to the United States in search of economic opportunities and to escape political instability, poverty, and religious persecution. This wave of immigration had a profound and lasting impact on American society, contributing to cultural diversity, urbanization, and shaping the demographic landscape of the United States.