NIAF 101
The year that the National Italian American Foundation was founded.
When is 1975?
This comedian & NIAF 2026 Honoree said: "Growing up in an Italian family, we used our body to convey a message."
Who is Sebastian Maniscalco?
This baseball legend was the first Italian American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Who is Joe DiMaggio?
This tradition involves an extended Italian American family gathering once a week for a multi-course, all-afternoon meal together, often at the home of the oldest living matriarch or patriarch.
This is the mandatory response when your nonna asks if want seconds, regardless of how full you may be.
What is "yes"?
The dollar amount that NIAF gives every year in scholarships
How much is 1 Million Dollars?
This iconic NJ native crooner said: "The best revenge is massive success."
Who is Frank Sinatra?
This woman became the first Italian American, and first Catholic, to be canonized a saint by the Catholic Church.
Fun Fact: NIAF helped fund a movie based on her life in 2024.
Who is Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini?
This is why people where the cornicello around their neck.
What is the malocchio or evil eye?
Every Italian and Italian American should know that this is the best way to support our community and the premier foundation dedicated to it.
What is becoming a member of the National Italian American Foundation?
NIAF's youth program that takes college students on a free trip to Italy
What is the Voyage of Discovery?
This beautifully named Italian actress said: "Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti"
Who is Sophia Loren?
This coach led the Green Bay Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls ever played, and the trophy awarded every year to the Super Bowl champion is named after him.
Who is Vince Lombardi?
This Italian American Easter tradition involves a bread braided around whole, dyed eggs still in their shells, baked right into the dough.
What is Pane di Pasqua (Easter Bread)?
This heated, ongoing debate among Italian Americans centers on what to call the slow-simmered tomato dish served over pasta on Sundays,.
What is "sauce vs gravy"?
This country music star is actually half Italian and was honored by NIAF in 2004.
Who is Tim McGraw?
This legendary Italian American filmmaker, known for Goodfellas said: "If your mother cooks Italian food, why should you go to a restaurant?"
Who is Martin Scorsese?
This Italian American founded the Bank of Italy in 1904, later renamed to become one of the largest banks in the world, and became the first to offer everyday banking to working-class immigrants who other banks turned away.
Who is A.P. Giannini?
This Italian American wedding tradition has the groom's family tossing small items as favors symbolizing the bittersweet nature of life.
What are Jordan Almonds (Confetti)?
This is the difference between an "Irish Goodbye" and an "Italian Goodbye"
What is an Irish Goodbye means you leave without telling anyone, an Italian Goodbye means you announce you're leaving and then stay for another 2 hours?
This US President attended every Anniversary Gala during his double term in the White House, for a total of 8 galas.
Who is Bill Clinton?
This legendary Italian filmmaker, known for La Dolce Vita said: "Life is a combination of magic and pasta."
Who is Federico Fellini?
This Italian American physicist created the world's first nuclear reactor (Chicago Pile-1) in 1942, earning him the nickname "architect of the nuclear age."
Who is Enrico Fermi?
On New Year's Eve, some Italian American families keep this specific legume on hand to eat at midnight, believed to bring wealth in the coming year because of their coin-like shape.
What are lentils?
This is the Italian phrase turns bread into a shoe.
What is "fare la scarpetta"?