Poland






 * On October 1, 1608, the English ship Mary and Margaret arrived at Jamestown, Virginia and aboard the ship were several persons of Polish descent.
 *  The Poles made a vital contribution to the survival of the colony by digging a well to provide fresh drinking water, which was seriously lacking in the colony.
 * The Polish built a furnace to produce glass products, which became the first factory in America.
 * The Polish settlers produced pitch and tar, vital building materials for expanding the new colony.
 * Their products became the first commercial items to be exported from America to Europe.




 * On July 30, 1619, the Polish settlers staged the first labor strike in America.
 * The newly formed House of Burgesses quickly granted them the same voting privileges as those enjoyed by the English.