ITALIAN CENTER OF THE WEST Free Lecture Series Wednesday, February 18, 2009 – 7:00 PM ITALIANS IN AMERICA History Channel Documentary The contribution made to American society by Italian immigrants and their offspring has greatly changed the face of the country. This Documentary presents some of the outstanding efforts made by Italian-Americans. The phenomenal influence of the Italian people on the history of America is explored in this important Documentary. Joseph Campanella narrates the history of Italian immigration to America, beginning with the trickle of Northern Italians in the early 19th Century to the deluge of Southern Italians between the 1880's and 1920's. These immigrants not only met with difficulty in the New World because of language differences but also faced discrimination in their own Catholic Church, which was dominated by English-speaking Irish Americans. The new immigrants banded together in isolated communities called "Little Italies." Delegated to manual labor, they struggled to become assimilated into American society and were able to overcome negative stereotyping while producing such outstanding and prominent citizens as A. P. Giannini, Enrico Caruso, Frank Capra, Joe DiMaggio, and Frank Sinatra. Interviews with a dozen prominent Italian-Americans including Geraldine Ferraro and Rudy Guilianni and the great influence of Italian food in gaining acceptance for Italians are highlighted. Running Time 100 Minutes Please bring your favorite pizza or Italian finger food to share with the group. At the end we can exchange comments and observations. Please RSVP ph 801-364-8259 Where: St.Mark’s Episcopal Church Annex, (Dean’s Room North side) 231 East 100 South, SLC Please park on the North side, use the North Entrance When: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 – 7:00 PM Public is welcome, no admission fee Please RSVP ph 801-364-8259 ITALIAN CENTER OF THE WEST Pizza and Documentary Video Food for the Body & Mind The Italian Center is grateful to the Episcopal Church for their kind hospitality and partially funded by the ZAP tax program Salt Lake County _________________________________________________________________ See how Windows connects the people, information, and fun that are part of your life. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093175mrt/direct/01/