Like many other European peoples, Poles have a long history in North America. Migrations have taken place for over 200 years. As a result, many people of Polish ancestral descent have assimilated and to a large extent no longer adhere to the socio-cultural-linguistic norms that makeup a unique Pole identity. Nevertheless, other Poles have not assimilated and still adhere to Polish socio-cultural elements plus use Polish as their primary language at home.

One of the most notable in size of the urban Pole enclaves in North America is the Chicago metro area. In fact, Chicago metro are is home to the largest Polish city outside of Poland. The vast majority of Poles is concentrated along the city's Northwest and Southwest Sides, along Milwaukee Avenue and Archer Avenue, respectively. Chicago's Taste of Polonia festival is celebrated at the Copernicus Foundation, in Jefferson Park, every Labor Day weekend.

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