Why be proud?

It’s a question that deserves serious thought and reflection. To begin with, every ethnic, racial and religious group that immigrated to America brought with them a unique set of traditions, customs, values and beliefs that they contributed to America’s collective culture. And for those contributions each group can be justly proud.

We, as descendants of Italian immigrants, have been blessed with a heritage that is arguably second to none in the history of the world.

From the time of the Roman Empire, through the Renaissance, to the present day, Italy has produced many of the greatest, most creative and dynamic individuals who have significantly impacted world history: Caesar Augustus, Virgil, Constantine, Galileo, Columbus, Michelangelo, DaVinci, Dante, St. Thomas Aquinas, Machiavelli, Garibaldi, Marconi, Fermi, Caruso, and Maria Montessori, to name but a few.

That little boot in the center of the Mediterranean has been the primary source of the growth of Western Civilization for over two thousand years.

But although each of us feels a sense of pride as a result of Italy’s great contributions to world history, each of us feels a more relevant and personal sense of pride from the struggles and accomplishments of our immigrant parents, grandparents or great-grandparents.
We all have a family story to preserve. Let us work together to make certain that those stories are never forgotten.

— Basil M. Russo, National President

---

Want to uncover your roots?

Connect here with Italian Americans across the country to find out more about your family name, town and ancestors.