This podcast aims to explain Italian characters and behavior. A full-length portrait of my compatriots may occasionally be witty, grave, cynical, compassionate, melancholy, glittering, scholarly, and stimulating. What is important is that we share these emotions. Italians discovered America for the Americans; taught poetry, statesmanship, and the ruses of trade to the English; military art to the Germans; cuisine to the French; acting and ballet dancing to the Russians; music to everybody. If someday this world of ours should be turned into a cloud of radioactive dust in space, it will be by nuclear contrivances developed with the decisive aid of Italian scientists. {Luigi Barzini, in the Italians}.

Between 1880 and 1920, over four million Italians entered the United States. No other ethnic group has sent so many immigrants in such a short time. Before 1870 only scattered thousands of Italians had come to areas outside of Europe to either North or South America. Up to 1900, most Italians had emigrated to either Argentina or Brazil. Those entering the United States were primarily male, and many intended to return to Italy after making some money. However, many ended up staying in America for various reasons. {Oscar Handlin in The Uprooted].

The Italian Heritage Network

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