Dear Readers,
July opened with our patriotic celebration of Independence Day, the Fourth of July. Since we little Italian American kids did not learn much about Italian American contributions to the foun-ding of our nation in sc-hool, I thou-ght I would share some with you now:
Did you know that an Italian American signed the Declaration of Independence or that an Italian American contributed many ideas to Thomas Jefferson upon which he based the concept that 'all men are created equal'?
As many of you know, the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
What many of us do not know however, is that in 1776 there were already Italians and Italian Americans living in the thirteen colonies. One of the most famous Italian Americans at the time of the Revolution was William Paca. The Paca family had emigrated from Italy to England and then to Maryland.
In 1651 the Paca family received a large estate of land and eventually became wealthy planters by the end of the 17th century. William Paca distinguished himself by serving in the Maryland Legislature and the Continental Congress. He was also a famous jurist in Maryland. William Paca, along with other revolutionaries and founding fathers, renounced his allegiance to the British Crown and King George III, and was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Following his signing of the Declaration of Independence, William Paca became the third Governor of Maryland and the very first governor of Italian heritage in the
United States. So as early as the 1700's, we had an Italian American as governor in the United States.
Phillip Mazzei was a well educated Italian who lived in London for eighteen years before he was introduced to Benjamin Franklin, and also a friend of Franklin's, a Virginia businessman named Thomas Adams.
Mazzei was invited by Ben Franklin and Thomas Adams to come to the United States to try an agricultural experiment in Virginia. Thus, Mazzei came to the colonies in November 1773, on a ship which he chartered himself. Upon arriving in America, he was welcomed by the leading citizens of Virginia, including Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Soon after arrival Mazzei became very involved in America's revolution and struggle for freedom, and devoted much of his time explaining to the new Americans why they should declare their independence
from the British Crown.
Thomas Jefferson
soon became good friend with Mazzei, and decided that Mazzei should write a series of articles based on his own experiences in London. These articles were written in Italian and were translated into English by Jefferson. It is clear in looking at Mazzei's writing that he had a great influence on Thomas Jefferson, particularly concerning the topic of all men being created equal.
In his memoirs, Mazzei wrote the following:
"In order to obtain our end it is necessary, my dear fellow citizens, to consider the natural rights of man as well as the basis of free government. Such a discussion will show clearly that the British government has never been a free government at any time, and that ours was only a bad copy of the British, with so many other disadvantages that it was hardly above slavery."
Mazzei wrote, "All men are by nature equally free and independent. Such equality is necessary in order to establish a free government. Each individual must be equal to another in natural law.
Class distinction has always been, as it will always be, an effective obstacle, and the reason for it is very clear. When in a nation you have several classes of men each one must have its share in the government; otherwise one class would tyrannize over the others. But the parts cannot be perfectly equal; even if it were possible, human events show that they could not be kept in balance and no matter how little one exceeds the others, the whole must not crumble."
It is important to note that Mazzei's memoirs were written before the Declaration of Independence.
Thus, the concept that all men are created free and independent (equal) was clearly a concept taken from Phillip Mazzei. We Italian Americans can be proud, not only of our role in building and settling the United States over the last 200 plus years, but also of the fact that from the very beginning of our Nation's birth, we have played a prominent part in our nation's obtaining its freedom and movement toward democracy.
God Bless America...
During this patriotic month of July, if you have a little spare change here are three groups helping America's military families that are First Lady favorites. I am listing them because some military groups we help spend more money on salaries and solicitations than on serving our soldiers and their families.
OPERATION SHOWER
Expecting a child can be incredibly lonely for women whose spouses are serving oversea. This organization throws baby showers for military moms-to-be. In its four-year existence, the group has hosted events for more than 400 women.
OUR MILITARY KIDS
To ease the burden for military families who often can't afford extras, this group raises money to provide grants for sports, arts, and tutoring programs for the kids of National Guard and Reserve members, as well as wounded soldiers.
SNOWBALL EXPRESS
Founded in 2006, this organization coordinates an annual holiday celebration for the children of troops who've died while serving our country. Last December, 1,400 kids and the surviving spouses attended Snowball Express V.
I think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of our world - or to make it the last.
-John F. Kennedy
There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.
-Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885)
Every nation sincerely desires peace; and all nations pursue courses which if persisted in, make peace impossible.
-Sir Norman Angell
