Fifty-five years ago, 12-year-old Anthony Martignetti of Boston’s North End became the unlikely star of a television commercial that would prove so popular that it ran for an incredible 13 years. The young Italian immigrant is seen sprinting through the streets of the city as his mother beckons from the window of the family’s apartment on Powers Court. “Anthony! Anthony!” she famously shouted. It’s Wednesday and every Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day.

While kids across America were perhaps more familiar with cans of Chef Boyardee and SpaghettiOs, those living in the New England area generally leaned towards Prince spaghetti for their pasta fare. Created by Sicilian immigrants in 1912, the brand was manufactured in the North End at 92 Prince Street. Martignetti’s young life changed after three men, who were looking for Commercial Street, approached him and his friends.