The Germans from Russia were a group of ethnic Germans who migrated from Germany to Russia in the 18th century at the invitation of Catherine the Great. They settled in the Volga River region and Black Sea region of Russia, where they lived for over a century. In the late 19th century, many Germans from Russia began to migrate to the United States, including to the state of Nebraska where they could get land and the opportunity to farm. They formed tight-knit communities in rural parts of the state with a shared German heritage, language, and culture. Today, the descendants of Germans from Russia continue to be an important part of Nebraska's cultural heritage. Many of them still live in rural areas and maintain their traditions, including folk music, dance, and food. There are also organizations dedicated to preserving and celebrating their heritage, such as the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.