Thirty-One Days of Italians

In September 2006, while researching and writing the October issue of Tutto Italiano, I wondered why Italian American Heritage Month

wasn’t commonly celebrated throughout the United States. "It needs to be promoted," I thought, and the idea of Thirty-One Days of Italians was born.

"In celebration of Italian heritage, I’m compiling a list of Italians and Italian Americans who should be recognized for their extraordinary achievements. There are many, but I am limiting it to 31 – one for each day of October. This list will be sent to the media next year to assist in publicizing Italian heritage with Thirty-One Days of Italians."

At Contributing to America, a list has been compiled based on my research and others’ suggestions. A companion list, Contributing to the World, follows. There are many worthy Italians, but this is a list to honor Italians who have changed America or the world. The list of nominees Contributing to America is complete. The list of those Contributing to the World will be completed by the end of June.

The list of Thirty-One Days of Italians will be released in June and sent to national media, with follow-ups throughout July, August, and September.

Let’s put Italian American Heritage Month on the calendar throughout America and make it a month of honor and respect for our Italian heritage that will be celebrated all year long.

If you value Italian heritage, please get involved. Visit Thirty-One Days of Italians to learn about the wonderful Italians who have contributed so much to America and the world. Tell others about the site and spread the word to promote Italian heritage and culture.

Ideas to promote our heritage with projects for children and adults.

JTMancuso

www.jtmancuso.com

e-mail: jtm@jtmancuso.com