2026 is a very special year for the United States and for Italy. In both cases, an important milestone anniversary will be celebrated: 250 years since 1776, the birth of the United States; and 80 years since 1946, the birth of the Italian Republic.
At We the Italians, we want to celebrate both in our own way – by telling the beautiful stories in which Italy played a leading role throughout the 250 years of the United States, and likewise the beautiful stories in which the United States has played a leading role in Italy’s 80 years.
Our project is called Two Anniversaries, One Heart, and as you may have guessed, it is divided into two parts.
Happy Birthday USA
Happy Birthday USA, which includes stories about Italy’s positive contribution to 250 years of the United States of America, is itself divided into two sub-projects.
The first is called Italy’s role in America’s greatness.
We have selected eighteen great Italians who played a fundamental role in the 250-year history of America. Eighteen prominent Italians of today will tell the stories of those eighteen very famous Italians of the past, also explaining the impact that these figures have had here in Italy within their respective fields of expertise.
The second is called Unsung Italian Heroes.
In addition to the eighteen most famous Italians, we want to tell the story of the impact that many other Italians have had in individual American states. These are more local Italian and Italian American heroes who are not as widely known. And who better than our Ambassadors to know at least one such story connected to their own area? They will tell us about the unsung hero who did something important in the place where they live and where they represent us.
At the end of February, we will share the stories of the Unsung Heroes of New England; at the end of April, those from the New York area; at the end of June, those from the East; at the end of August, those from the South; and at the end of December, those from the West.
Happy Birthday Italy
In this case, twelve stories written by prominent Italians of today will each be dedicated to America’s positive contribution to Italy in a different thematic field.
We will tell twelve reasons why Italy has been, is, and will always be grateful to the United States – reasons that have generated positive effects in Italy and that have strengthened the solidity and the exceptional nature of the friendship and alliance between Italy and the United States.
All of this content will be distributed in several ways.
The articles will be published – all in Italian and English – on our website and across our social media channels.
The English versions will also be included in special bimonthly inserts of our magazine, to be released at the end of February, April, June, August, October, and December 2026.
At the end of the year, we will publish a book collecting all the content.
Happy Birthday USA and Happy Birthday Italy will also become two audio and video podcasts, likewise released every two months.
Finally, our Gala – which this year will take place on June 4 – will include a segment in which we will briefly present this project, along with a surprise that we are not yet ready to reveal.
Two Flags, One Heart – and this year as well, Two Anniversaries, One Heart.
