Slovaks make up the third-largest people of ethnic ancestry. Slovaks have been coming to the United States since the sixteenth century, the largest wave of immigration spanning the thirty-five years before World War I. Hard working and thrifty by nature, the Slovaks were living in oppression and harsh economic conditions in those years. As a result, many came to the United States to improve both their social and economic conditions and settled primarily in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The majority of Slovaks have assimilated and no longer adhere to what would be known as Slovak. Nevertheless, there still are those Slovaks who adhere to that which would be known as Slovak. For instance, there are Slovaks who still speak Slovakia at home. In addition, the societies such as the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, through its many activities, helps to promote the continuation of the beautiful customs of the Slovak people.