by Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

An Italian American judge is responsible for banning the Ku Klux Klan in California. Italian immigrants introduced bell peppers, eggplant, broccoli, artichokes and many other crops to the state. The first Italian settlers arrived in Los Angeles when the region was still part of Mexico. From the entertainment industry to finance Italian Americans have played an integral role in the development of Southern California, yet their history remains largely unknown.

The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) aims to raise awareness of this important history through Hidden Voices: Italian Americans and the Making of Southern California, a public history event that takes place on June 1st at El Pueblo Historical Monument in downtown Los Angeles, in what was the heart of the city's little Italy. Hidden Voices will include a history conference featuring presentations by four noteworthy scholars: Dr. Joanne Ruvoli (UCLA), Dr. Kenneth Scambray (University of LaVerne), Daniel Gardner (UCLA) and IAMLA executive director and historian Marianna Gatto. The event will also include a performance by MusicAntica, showcasing the music of Southern Italy's oral tradition, and lastly, educational workshops for youth.

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Fonte: L'italo-Americano