From time to time, the chance discovery of documents will shine new light on people and organizations long gone and largely forgotten.

Such a case was the discovery of the personal papers of Nicholas Calamaras – a seemingly obscure candy vendor on New York’s Second Avenue.

The early 20th century saw the influx of untold numbers of immigrants – all of whom experienced myriad difficulties adapting to the New World – and getting the New World to accept them.

To assist his fellow Greeks, Nicholas founded – and from his candy shop led, the Greek-American League, to advocate for Greek political and economic needs.

Purporting to represent hundreds of thousands of Greek individuals, churches, publications and organizations, he had politicians seeking his endorsements and eager to do favors.

In this way, Nicholas was able for 20 years to obtain election of candidates amenable to Greek political and economic needs.

This is the story of the discovery of the archive of the Greek-American League, and how Nicholas led it to benefit the early Greeks in America.

This work contains all 200+ pages of archive documents, an interpretation of their significance, and an index of over 100 Greek family names appearing on them.