The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) invites you to join a special virtual discussion exploring the profound influence of Italian political and legal thought on the founding of the United States as America approaches its 250th anniversary.
As part of the Leandro P. Rizzuto, Sr. Capitol Hill Program, this timely conversation will examine how the ideas of Italian Enlightenment figures such as Cesare Beccaria, Gaetano Filangieri, and Filippo Mazzei helped shape the intellectual foundations of the American Republic.
Their writings on liberty, justice, constitutional government, and individual rights resonated deeply with many of the Founding Fathers and continue to inform democratic institutions today.
Moderated by Viviana Mazza, U.S. Correspondent for Corriere della Sera, the discussion will feature:
Professor John Bessler, internationally recognized scholar of Cesare Beccaria and the history of criminal justice reform
Professor Amedeo Arena, legal historian and expert on Gaetano Filangieri and the transatlantic exchange of political ideas between Italy and the United States
Together, they will explore the enduring legacy of Italian political thought, its impact on the American Revolution and Constitution, and why these connections remain relevant during the nation's semiquincentennial commemoration.
Date: Wednesday June 24, 2026
Time: 12 Noon EST
Location: Online via Zoom
This is event is FREE and open to the public!
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UycC0HJqSXSzzvPUAMBeqw
We hope you will join us for this fascinating examination of a chapter of American history that is often overlooked but deeply consequential.
