How a team member discovered his long-lost family through flight privileges
Raymond DiBiasi, a flight attendant based in Philadelphia, always knew Sicilian heritage was in his blood, but he never knew it would become a living part of his story. His grandfather emigrated to the U.S. more than a century ago, and family lore suggested no relatives remained in Sicily. But in 2015, his genealogy research revealed a thrilling tr...
Pier 53 on the Delaware River
Although, less prominent than New York’s Ellis Island, Philadelphia was home to what was once the third largest immigration port in the country: Pier 53 on the Delaware River. It was in 1873 that the Washington Avenue Immigration Station began its operations. Arriving immigrants first disembarked at Lazaretto Station at Essington for health inspect...
Philadelphia family carries on palm-weaving tradition in the Italian Market
On a rainy Thursday, stationed at a stand in the Italian Market, Victoria Ciliberti patiently weaves tough, green fronds together. She is a “palm lady” carrying on an ancient tradition. “I’m the third generation doing the weaving,” Ciliberti, 34, said. “So my great-grandmother and my great-aunt are the ones who taught me. My mom carried it on, and...
COPOMIAO delivers cogent appeal to preserve Columbus Day in Philadelphia
COPOMIAO is proud to share an important update in our fight to keep Columbus Day alive in Philadelphia. After our earlier wins — where our outstanding national counsel, George Bochetto of Bochetto & Lentz, P.C., forced the City of Philadelphia to take down a wooden box that obscured the Christopher Columbus statue from public view and thwarted an i...
Author Maria Laurino Presents Her Book on an Adoption Program from Italy to the US after WWII
Born in New Jersey to an Italian American family, journalist and writer Maria Laurino has published several books about the identity and experience of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the U.S. (most notably the companion volume to theThe Italian Americans, the PBS documentary series directed by John Maggio), with specific attention to th...
Italian Research and Excellence Night 2025
The Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia is pleased to host the 2025 edition of the Research and Excellence Night on April 25th, 2025 from 6 to 8 PM at 1818 Market Street, 9th floor, Philadelphia. The agenda: - 6:00 PM: Opening Remarks: Cristiana Mele, Consul General of Italy- 6:10 PM: ISSNAF-PND - Introduction- 6:20 PM: Business Session- How...
Bon Jovi feuds with Jersey Shore mayor over eatery for the poor
On a silver horse he rides to the rescue of the homeless and hungry. Jon Bon Jovi is not backing down in his mission to feed the poor even after a mayor in his home state slammed the singer for turning a public library into a “day shelter and soup kitchen.” Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick bashed county commissioners for allowing Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul...
The Symphony of Life: Mother-Daughter Duo Drs. Gilda and Mary Rorro Receive “Ten for Trenton” Award at Capitol Philharmonic Concert
Drs. Gilda and Mary Rorro are set to receive a mother-daughter duo honor for the Ten for Trenton Award for contributions to our community. The Award will be presented to the Honorees at the Capitol Philharmonic Drama & Irony Italian-themed concert on Saturday, April 12th at 7:30pm at the historic Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, N.J...
Congress Bill Spotlight: Smithsonian Italian American Museum
The National Museum of Italian American History Commission Act would establish a commission to analyze whether a new Smithsonian museum about Italian Americans should be built in Washington, D.C. The bipartisan commission would comprise eight members, two each appointed by four people: the top Republican and Democratic leaders in both the Senate an...
Amerigo Vespucci Society 150 Anniversary Gala
On Saturday March 29th the Amerigo Vespucci Society (AVS) held their 150th Anniversary Gala at Eagle Oaks Country Club in Farmingdale, New Jersey. The organization is the oldest Italian-American Mutual Aid Society in the United States, founded in 1875 and incorporated in 1895. The AVS hosted approximately 450 guests who traveled from various areas...
Philanthropist S. Joseph Bruno
After emigrating from Italy at age 8, S. Joseph Bruno has had a highly successful career as a certified public accountant, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was a partner in two “Big 4” accounting firms and the CFO of a public company. He is the President and CEO Emeritus of Building Hope, a nonprofit that supports charter schools. In December, h...
Piranesi’s Rome: Views of the Eternal City
From March 21 2025, 14:30 To May 22 2025, 15:30 (Local time). By Appointment only. Embassy of Italy - 3000 Whitehaven Street NW - Washington, DC. The Italian Cultural Institute of Washington in collaboration with the Luther W. Brady Art Gallery, at The George Washington University, presents “Piranesi’s Rome: Views of the Eternal City“, an exhibiti...
