October is Italian American Heritage & Culture Month!
Established 1989
This guide features Montgomery College Library books to read and videos to watch to learn more about Italian American heritage. There are links to relevant research databases and subject guides, as well as MC, local, and national resources dedicated to Italian American heritage.
Between 1820 and 1870, around 25,000 Italian immigrants came to the United States amid the internal turmoil, disease, and natural disasters that swept through their home country. These early Italian-Americans established themselves in the arts and abolition movements.
During The Great Immigration that followed in 1880, most Italian immigrants arrived at the legendary Ellis Island in New York. One-third of them made their home right there in New York City.
Blamed for taking jobs during an economic depression and facing ridiculous pseudo-science claims that they were "genetically inferior" to northern Europeans, they encountered racism and violence during the boom of immigration that took place at the turn of the 20th century, with more than 20 Italian-Americans lynched in the 1890s alone.
Many village populations stuck together in their new homes, keeping the social institutions, religious beliefs, and campanilismo - loyalty to everyone living within the sound of the church bells - alive.
These Italian-Americans went to work in the many foundational trades that built the great city of New York, from the overwhelming majority of the city's municipal work projects to shoemaking and bartending. When labor unions opened to immigrants, Italian-Americans grew their activism and participated in most of the labor struggles of the early 20th century.
Despite the challenges they faced, those workers were prosperous and gave generously to their families back home.
More than 4 million Italians had come to the United States when immigration slowed due to legislation in the 1920s. Roughly 30 - 50% of these immigrants would return home to Italy within five years. Those who stayed had a significant and lasting impact in the United States.
Almost 1 million Italian-Americans served in the armed forces during WWII, and another million contributed to the wartime efforts at home.
For the remainder of the century, Italian Americans were at the forefront of politics, science, arts, and show business.
New Italian immigrants traveled south from Ellis Island by train in the late 1800s. Those who got off at Presidents Street Station in Baltimore, MD, gathered in the six blocks near the train station and formed “the neighborhood," also known as Baltimore's Little Italy.
In 1940, about 8,000 Italian-Americans resided in Baltimore, MD. Nearly 70 years later, over 16,000 Italian-Americans live there, many of whom are descendants of the original Italian immigrants.
Maryland Italian Festival
The Society of Italian American Businessmen (SIAB) comes to Harford County with Live National Entertainment, Carnival Rides & Midway, Wine/Beer/Liquor Piazza, Italian Food & Retail Vendors, Cooking & Wine Demos, Bocce Tournament and so much more!
Date: September 27th - 29th, 2024
Time:
Friday September 27th: 5pm - 11pm
Saturday September 28th: 11am - 11pm
Sunday September 29th: 11am - 7pm
Location: Harford County Equestrian Center - 608 North Tollgate Road Bel Air, MD 21014
Registration: Tickets from $10
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