Un po' di storia
He is said to have discovered the New World.
Who is Christopher Columbus?
He didn’t need to win, just go the distance.
Who is Rocky?
The rags-to-riches story ends with a bloodied and beaten Italian Stallion calling to this inspirational love.
Who is Adrian?
It derives from the Neapolitan word meaning “dandy” or “tough guy” and is not an acronym for WithOut Papers.
What is WOP?
In 1941 this Yankee great hit safely in 56 consecutive games.
Who is Joe DiMaggio?
The names of two continents derive from the first name of this famous Florentine navigator.
Who is Amerigo Vespucci?
A tragic figure, he is murdered while reciting the Hail Mary.
Who is Fredo?
She founded a religious order and became the first American to be canonized for her miraculous work with Italian immigrants.
Who is Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini?
This derogatory term seems to have derived from the word “dagger wielder.”
What is dago?
Lady Gaga spoke of how this singer freed her and helped her become a jazz singer.
Who is Tony Bennett?
In 1927 these two left-leaning Italian immigrants were killed by electrocution.
Who are Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti?
He is presented in black and white, which evokes the time period and also the contrasting light and darkness that characterized his gritty and tumultuous life.
Who is Jake La Motta?
A blond-haired, blue-eyed Yankee from New Hampshire, she embodies the fulfillment of the American Dream for the Corleone family.
Who is Kay Adams?
It derives from the Sicilian expression referring to an intimate friend.
What is gumbah?
After a troubled adolescence resenting her mother and her Italian heritage, this writer and actor finally manages to love and embrace both in her memoir "Ma Speaks Up".
Who is Marianne Leone?
On March 14, 1891, eleven Italian immigrants were murdered by an angry mob in this port city.
What is New Orleans?
In homage to his heritage and devotion to his late mother, he eats a sandwich by her grave.
Who is Wally Lamb?
In a forward to a later edition of his novel The Fortunate Pilgrim, Mario Puzo claims that he could hear her voice whenever Vito Corleone spoke.
Who is Lucia Santa?
This racist slur likens an Italian to a black person, as if hailing from this country on the West African coast.
What is Guinea?
This actor and singer helped pave the way for other Italian Americans and did it his way, fighting discrimination and prejudice all the while.
Who is Frank Sinatra?
It processed over 12 million immigrants during its 62 years of operation (1892–1954).
What is Ellis Island?
This tormented baker casts blame on his brother for his problems and steals his fiancé.
This New Jersey-born singer appeared on the Ed Sullivan singing Italian songs and went on to gain international pop stardom.
Who is Connie Francis?
Referring to working-class, urban Italian Americans, this slur is a common name in Italy, the same first name of Prof. Bonanno's dissertation advisor and father-in-law.
What is Guido?
Who is Professor Bonanno?