The Miracle that is Italy

Today marks the anniversary of Garibaldi’s landing in Bourbon Sicily in 1860 with his 1,000 Redshirts.  That bold adventure led to the addition of southern Italy and Sicily to what would become the Kingdom of Italy nine months later.  It was a remarkable course of...

Leaving for Rome

A note to my readers: I am taking a two-week trip to Rome (with a few days in Lucca and perhaps a side-trip to Florence) and will probably not be able to write a new blog until after my return on May 23rd.  Altare della Patria So I’d like to indulge your...

May Musings

With fictional Vice President Giannelli In the political thriller Seven Days in May, a novel published in 1962, the U.S. Vice President was named Giannelli.  He had no first name nor was his character developed in either the book or the 1964 movie version with...

LA BRAVA GENTE

Three recent news items, from the trivial to the profound, all extolling the same point: namely, the deep, grounded humanism of the Italic people.  Let’s start with the trivial.  First is an Instagram video posted by Karin Kidlow, the sister of US...

Taken for Granted

There have been 25 Medal of Honor winners with Italian roots.  The most recent one is David Bellavia of Buffalo, NY.  He’s been honored at the White House by President Trump and by the Gary Sinise Foundation, a nonprofit for veterans, launched by that...

Holidays Past & Present

Tuesday will be the 2,779th birthday of Rome.  But only a few Italic Institute members will be celebrating.  The day will be acknowledged in Rome and probably in most Latin language classes around the USA.  But it’s a pity that Italian Americans have no...