BY: Janice Therese Mancuso
Thirty-One Days of Italians releases its 2022-23 List, honoring extraordinary people of Italian heritage who have greatly influenced the growth and culture of America. New this year is Vincent Justus Burnelli, who was honored in 1944 for his “Major Contributions to the Scientific Advancement of Aviation.” Burnelli is responsible for much of the modern airplane’s design, and owns numerous patents for his technological innovations.
Bruno Sammartino was included in Thirty-One Days of Italians when the website was first published online in 2006. Born in Italy, Sammartino is the “The Living Legend” of professional wrestling. He held the world championship title twice, the first time with the longest reign; the second making him the only wrestler to hold the title twice.
The recipient of numerous music awards, Gian Carlo Menotti immigrated to America at 16. He wrote the first opera for radio and the first opera – Amahl and the Night Visitors – specifically for television. Ezio Pinza was also born in Italy, and considered by many to be the world’s greatest bass baritone of the twentieth century. During the turn of the twentieth century, Italian-born coloratura soprano Luisa Tetrazzini captured the attention of opera fans throughout the world.
In the early 1950s, Ella T. Grasso, a daughter of Italian immigrants from Genoa, started her career as an elected politician. Grasso won every election in her home state of Connecticut, became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and in 1974, she became the first female governor of Connecticut.
In 2006, a directory of Italians and Italian Americans who are recognized for their significant achievements was compiled and Thirty-One Days of Italians was created. The website features 75 people, and an annual List provides a person of Italian heritage to learn about and celebrate for each day in October, Italian American Heritage Month.
The first day in October honors the Italian immigrant and the last day is set aside to honor someone not on the List. Honorary Members are on the List every year. In alphabetical order, they are Father Pietro Bandini, Constantino Brumidi, Mother Francis Cabrini, Enrico Caruso, Christopher Columbus, Enrico Fermi, Amadeo Pietro Giannini, Guglielmo Marconi, Filippo Mazzei, Antonio Meucci, Maria Montessori, Andrea Palladio, Antonio Pasin, Arturo Toscanini, and Amerigo Vespucci.
Other names are rotated, giving everyone on Thirty-One Days of Italians a chance to have their day. The 2022-2023 List includes (in alphabetical order) Father Geno Baroni, Vincent Justus Burnelli, Father Joseph Cataldo, John Ciardi, Pietro di Donato, Frank Frazetta, Ella T. Grasso, John N. LaCorte, Gian Carlo Menotti, Costantino Nivola, Giovanni Pietro Antonio Nobili, Ezio Pinza, Bruno Sammartino, and Luisa Tetrazzini.
Learn about Italian American history and the people of Italian heritage who helped build America. View the complete calendar of names and learn more about them at Thirty-One Days of Italians 2022-23 List.
Author, educator, and researcher Janice Therese Mancuso established Thirty-One Days of Italians to promote the significant contributions that those of Italian heritage have made to America. She was awarded a grant from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and a grant from the Italian Historical Society of America (IHSA). She is the director of the Italian American Press, founder of the Italian American Heritage Project, and publisher of Tutto Italiano, an e-newsletter established in 2004.
Contact:
Janice Therese Mancuso
919.460.8836
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