The Sparta chapter of UNICO National held its annual Columbus Day ceremony Monday in Dykstra Park. The ceremony at the Christopher Columbus Monument included raising the American, New Jersey and Italian flags.

The Sparta chapter was founded in 1998, but the national group dates from 1922 as an outgrowth of anti-Italian sentiment. The founders chose the name UNICO -- the Italian word for unique or one of a kind -- as a way to signify the love Italian-Americans have for this country, as well as honoring the traditions and culture of their ancestors.

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Source: http://www.njherald.com/