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An epoch has come to an end with the retirement of Josephine Petitti as executive director of the Midwest District of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. “It’s been a long and wonderful run, and it’s been an honor to serve,” says Petitti, who has more get-up-and-go at 90 than most folks do at half her age. A driving force for the local ISDA...

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Columbus Day has become synonymous with Italian Heritage Day, a time in which Italian Americans remember the sacrifices made by their parents and grandparents, and the contributions Italian Americans have made in the U.S. The time-honored Columbus Day parades began in the late 1800s as Italian immigrants strived to create a sense of self-esteem and...

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As cities across the country increasingly reject Columbus Day, choosing instead to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, Italian-Americans have sent a clear message: Their holiday isn’t going down without a fight. Columbus Day, named for the Italian explorer who sailed to the Americas on behalf of Spain more than 500 years ago, has become a painful re...

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Each October, we come together and celebrate National Italian American Heritage Month. It is a time set aside for the 18 million Americans of Italian descent to reflect on their family’s history, traditions and values. The most meaningful way to do this is by making certain your family’s story is kept alive:  Pass it on to your children, grandchild...

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Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) is making history with its dramatic growth. Hundreds of delegates gathered in Buffalo, N.Y. at ISDA’s Biennial Convention last week, and were the first to hear the news: National President Basil Russo unveiled plans for three lodges — one in New York City and two in New Jersey — that will become new corn...

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My father was the child of two Italian immigrants who were born in Longi, Sicily. His mother, Rosalia, died at 32 years of age shortly after giving birth to her sixth child. My grandfather, Basilio, from whom I received my name, was a tough Sicilian immigrant who found himself with five young children to raise (the sixth child, Domenico, had died a...

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On May 31, the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) unveiled the newest addition — the iconic Captain America shield — to its permanent exhibition, Italians in Hollywood. The latest piece showcases the achievements of record-smashing directors Joe and Anthony Russo, best known for Avengers: Infinity War, and Captain America: Civil War. Bo...

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What is the most beautiful love song ever written? Was it a song of passion sung by a young man to profess his unending love to his sweetheart? Or maybe a song of joy from a young woman in response to a marriage proposal? If you ask me, it was neither. Of the thousands of love-songs written throughout the years, perhaps the most beautiful, the most...

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The story of the Italians in the US, and in particular the story of their contribution to the greatness of America, can be told by several different angles, as we know very well here at We the Italians.   One of these points of view is sport: and when we talk about sport in the US, Baseball is probably the first choice. That is why we are very ple...

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The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) congratulates Hon. Basil Russo, NIAF Board of Directors Member and National President of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), on his recent honors from the American Nationalities Movement and the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. Russo was honored by the American Nationalities Movemen...

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