A few hundred years ago, when much of the world was mysterious and unknown, two European humanists came together to produce an extraordinary map of the world.
Source: The epic story of the map that gave America its name
Category Archives: Italian American
Mary Sansone, a Grass-Roots Political Godmother, Dies at 101
A Mary Sansone, a gutsy Brooklyn social worker who created a robust community service organization that bridged racial and ethnic barriers, defied the Mafia and befriended supportive politicians, died on Monday in Brooklyn. She was 101.
Source: Mary Sansone, a Grass-Roots Political Godmother, Dies at 101
Italian-American club celebrates 100th anniversary in Rockford – MYSTATELINE
The Saint Ambrogio Society Club celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday. The Saint Ambrogio Society began as a club exclusive to those Italian-Americans who migrated to America from the Ferentino region of Italy, but today opens its doors to all peoples and cultures.
Source: Italian-American club celebrates 100th anniversary in Rockford – MYSTATELINE
Andrew Balducci, of the iconic NYC gourmet food store, dead at 92
Balducci was born in Brooklyn but raised in Italy after his family moved back when he was two months old.
He returned to New York with his family in 1939, later serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II and participating in the D-Day invasion.
Source: Andrew Balducci, of the iconic NYC gourmet food store, dead at 92
Vintage election meddling: Italian-Americans urge relatives to vote against communism in 1948
In 1948, the United States worried Italians would vote socialist in the country’s upcoming election. Thousands of Central New York Italian-Americans wrote letters to their native home urging them not to.
With the Cold War heating up, both the United States and the Soviet Union sent bags of money to the Italian political party they favored. (By its own admission, the CIA gave $1 million to Italy’s “center parties.”)
American agencies funded the publishing of books, made numerous short-wave radio broadcasts and wrote millions of letters to help influence the election.
Source: Vintage election meddling: Italian-Americans urge relatives to vote against communism in 1948
Houston Restaurant Legend Tony Vallone Honored For Excellence In Italian Cuisine
It’s not a stretch to call Tony Vallone a Houston restaurant legend. For over 50 years, he’s been the powerhouse behind Tony’s, the swanky Italian restaurant that’s long been a staple for foodies and the see-and-be-seen crowd alike. He also founded Vallone’s steakhouse in the Memorial area and Ciao Bello near the Galleria. He also started La Grigilia and…
Source: Houston Restaurant Legend Tony Vallone Honored For Excellence In Italian Cuisine
Appetites: Italian-American cuisine is back, here’s where to find it
It’s one of the hottest emerging new cuisines in Minnesota, but many already consider a classic. Italian-American food. Here’s where to find some great restaurants specializing in the cuisine around the Twin Cities.
Source: Appetites: Italian-American cuisine is back, here’s where to find it
Pasta and present: Italian American St. Joseph Society dines first, walks it off in annual parade
“My father comes from the bottom of the boot — he lives for wine, women and mozzarella,” said Greco, whose accent sounds at home in the Bronx or Chalmette. “My mother from Naples cares about the five Fs: family, food, friends, faith forever. That’s what my life revolves around.”
Source: Pasta and present: Italian American St. Joseph Society dines first, walks it off in annual parade
SF Supervisor Stefani wants indigenous people, Italian Americans to share day
San Francisco stripped the name of Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer, from his commemorative day in October. But that doesn’t mean the city’s Italian Americans should stop holding their annual parade in North Beach, where the floats putter up Columbus Avenue as bystanders wave flags and cheer. On Tuesday, Supervisor Catherine Stefani offered a compromise: split the day in two. For those inclined to celebrate the discoverer from Genoa, it’s Italian American Heritage Day. For those who would rather honor the people who had already lived in California for centuries, it’s Indigenous People’s Day.
Source: SF Supervisor Stefani wants indigenous people, Italian Americans to share day
Christopher Columbus statue deserves landmark status, Italian-American group says | am New York
“We don’t want anything to happen to the Christopher Columbus statue,” said Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition, adding that immigration of Italian-Americans would not have happened if Columbus hadn’t connected the two worlds. “It talks to us about courage, discovery, about all the positive things — the meting pot that Americans believe in.”
Source: Christopher Columbus statue deserves landmark status, Italian-American group says | am New York
Italian-Americans want to make Columbus statue a landmark
A coalition of Italian-American groups are trying to thwart Mayor de Blasio’s bid to alter the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle by asking a city commission landmark it.
Last month, Hizzoner said the statue would soon be joined by historical markers that tell the fuller story of the explorer, warts and all.
But that plan doesn’t sit well with members of the Italian-American community, who revere the explorer as a cultural icon.
Source: Italian-Americans want to make Columbus statue a landmark
The Axeman of New Orleans Preyed on Italian Immigrants
By August of 1918, the city of New Orleans was paralyzed by fear. In the dead of the night, the Axeman of New Orleans (as he came to be known) broke into a series of Italian groceries, attacking the grocers and their families. Some he left wounded; four people he left dead. The attacks were vicious. Joseph Maggio, for example, had his skull fractured with his own axe and his throat cut with a razor. His wife, Catherine, also had her throat cut; she asphyxiated on her own blood as she bled out.
Source: The Axeman of New Orleans Preyed on Italian Immigrants