I believe Crete was the first country to unilaterally declare itself a part of another country, because being Greek is possibly the strongest and proudest connection they share. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crete#Cretan_State_and_union_w...
The Jewish Diaspora take great lengths to preserve their traditions; you can walk into a synagogue (sharing the same movement) anywhere in the world and it'll be the same as your hometown.
The Persians I have known have had a connection to their history similarly, for better or for worse. Their views and values are a little different than, say, your average Euro-mutt "white" American -- and I think we "white" Americans have some lessons we could take about culture, identity, and values.