As many of you may know, and some of you may not, October is Italian (pronounced It-alian, not Eye-talian) American Heritage Month. Although it is not celebrated with as much recognition as many of the other celebrated months of our calendar year, to me, being of Italian descent, I wish to acknowledge and celebrate my family ethnicity and show my pride for the many Italian Americans and what contributions they have made to this country.

I start with who might be referred to as the first Italian American, Christopher Columbus, though some have tried to take away the celebration of the Italian explorer and navigator on his celebrated day of October 12th. Though Columbus sailed for Spain when he discovered the Americas in 1492, he was of Italian descent, and his discovery opened the way for more exploration, colonization, and usage of the Americas. Following in the footsteps of Columbus were hundreds and hundreds of people of Italian Heritage who have made an impact on the United States of America.

To justify my pride in my Italian heritage, I decided to find out more about Italian Americans who have added so much to this country in so many areas, and in my search I decided to run off pages to read more about some Italians and their mark on America, and when my printer finally stopped printing, I had 38 full pages of names of Italian Americans, and their contributions, in a list of many occupations, careers, professions, roles, and accomplishments.

There are many people of Italian Heritage on my list in the category of Prelates (Religious Leaders, including the most recently elected Pope of the Roman Catholic Church). There were Scientists (in most every field) and Mathematicians listed with noted contributions to this field, this country, and this world. There are and have been Diplomats of Italian descent listed, noted politicians, government executives, Cabinet Members, and judges (including the United States Supreme Court) representing all three branches of our country’s government, on any and every level in this country, who can claim Italian as their heritage. There have been many Italian Americans who have served this country proudly (many of them I am proud to say are members of my family) as part of our military forces. There are many of Italian bloodlines who serve, and have served, areas of Law Enforcement (my son being one of them) in many capacities throughout this country.

There are many other areas where Italian Americans have impacted this country, and also beyond it. In my research I found lists of inventors, lawyers, business executives (one, the original owner of our own Chautauqua Mall), who have contributed to our country’s history. There are, and have been, many talented Italian American artists of any, and all, genres. There are and have been talented Italian Americans who have excelled in the entertainment field (actors, actresses, directors, producers, singers, musicians, comedians, comediennes, dancers, Special Effects experts, sound managers, promoters, set crews, stage crews, etc.), many of whom also served this country in the military, as there have been many sports figures of Italian descent who have excelled in their sports and too, have served as part of our country’s military forces. Italy has also made a mark in this country’s fashion industry.

Italy has given this country many who have made their mark in the food industry, as chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs. Italy has sent this country many successfully talented architects. It has sent this country many authors, poets, writers, journalists, columnists, founders and publishers of any type and many local to national periodicals. Italy has sent this country many doctors, physicians, medical technicians, selective specialists in the medical, dental, and Mental Health fields. It has sent America Nobel Peace Prize winners, experts in chemistry and physics, and administrators of some of the finest Educational Institutions, employing some of the world’s greatest educators, many who are also Italian Americans. Italy has sent the U. S. astronauts, pilots, mechanics of any, and every, type of machinery we ever could have imagined there could ever be.

Probably the most important and valued contributions Italian Americans have made to this country (and mind you, these contributions have been made by all the people from all the places Americans came from to make this country our home), are the people who came here to make a better life for themselves and were willing to take jobs in almost any field of employment. They came to this country looking for work, and they were hard a working people. They wanted no handouts. They were willing to do whatever needed to be done to keep their jobs and raise their families in these United States of America. They are “Average Joes, and Josies,” many of whom have also answered this country’s call to arms by volunteering and serving this country’s defense.

Space did not allow me to include all the names and contributions of everyone on my list totaling 38 full pages, but what is contained in this narrative (and I deeply apologize if I missed anyone of Italian descent who does anything in areas maybe not mentioned in this piece, or has any relative or ancestor whose contribution was not mentioned) is my attempt to call more attention to Italian American Heritage Month, than is usually given. It is also a plea for this country to continue the celebration of October 12th, in part, as Columbus Day. There is no reason that day shouldn’t be celebrated. There’s no reason the day can’t be shared with Indigenous People Day, as well. I mean, more than one person celebrates their birthday on April 23rd, or any other date for that matter. Christmas and Hanukkah often share the same date, so why can’t two other deserving groups celebrate themselves and their pride in their heritage on the same day too?

I leave you all with the following statement and wish…

“Buon Mese del Patrimonio Italo-Americano a tutti i miei amici italo-americani.” (Translation-, “Happy Italian American Heritage Month, to all my fellow Italian Americans.”)