Italian American

An Italian American is an American of Italian descent either born in America or someone who has immigrated.

Related Topics:
American - Italian

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Although Italians arrived early to the new world, beginning with Christopher Columbus in 1492, and continuing with early Italian explorers John Cabot, Giovanni da Verrazano and Amerigo Vespucci, the largest wave of Italian immigration to the United States took place in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Between 1820 and 1978, 5.3 million Italians immigrated to the United States, including over two million in the years 1900-1910 alone (although about one-fourth of all Italian immigrants did not settle permanently in America and eventually returned to Italy). Only the Irish and Germans immigrated in larger numbers.

Related Topics:
Christopher Columbus - 1492 - Italian explorers - John Cabot - Giovanni da Verrazano - Amerigo Vespucci - United States - 19th century - 20th century - 1820 - 1978 - 1900 - 1910 - Irish - Germans

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In the 2000 U.S. Census, Italian Americans constituted the seventh largest ancestry group in America with about 15.6 million people (5.6% of the total U.S. population).1

Related Topics:
2000 - Census - 1

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Common stereotypes continue to link Italian Americans to organized crime and restaurant workers http://www.niaf.org/research/report_zogby.asp, unflattering images which remain staples of Hollywood movies. Certainly, organized-crime was never as honorable as the romanticized "Godfather" portrayed. During the Great Depression, a few southern Italians in America became involved in organized crime only as a way to escape poverty. Nevertheless, the National Italian American Foundation found that two-thirds of Italian Americans held white collar jobs in 1990 and that there were never more than a few thousand individuals in the Mafia.

Related Topics:
Organized crime - Hollywood - Godfather - Great Depression - National Italian American Foundation - White collar

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Like other ethnic groups in the USA their political beliefs are diverse. The U.S. Congress includes Italian Americans who are regarded as leaders in both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Related Topics:
Republican - Democratic

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In some Italian-American communities, Saint Joseph's Day (March 19) is marked with celebrations and parades. Columbus Day is also widely celebrated in these communities, as are the feasts of some regional Italian patron saints, most notably San Gennaro (September 19) by those claiming Neapolitan heritage, and Santa Rosalia (September 4) by Sicilians.

Related Topics:
Saint Joseph's Day - March 19 - Parade - Columbus Day - Patron saint - San Gennaro - September 19 - Neapolitan - Santa Rosalia - September 4 - Sicilians

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