The period from 1880 to 1920 witnessed the first major wave of Italian immigration to the United States, with over 4 million Italians arriving, primarily from Southern Italy and Sicily. Driven by overpopulation, agricultural depression, and poverty, these immigrants sought 'bread and work' in America. They settled in cities and mill towns across the Northeast, with New York City being the most popular destination. This massive influx significantly contributed to the growth of American cities and the industrial labor force.

The great wave of Italian immigration is a cornerstone of Italian-American literature, informing the works of authors like Pietro di Donato and John Fante. Their novels and stories depict the struggles, family bonds, and community life of Italian immigrants in America. The experience of arrival, often through Ellis Island, and the process of assimilation are recurring themes in Italian-American poetry and prose, contributing a rich and distinctive voice to American literature.