Last month, April 25^th, was the 500^th Anniversary of the naming of America. I still remember the pride I felt when I learned – years ago in elementary school – that America was named after Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

 According to reliable accounts, Vespucci was well qualified to navigate uncharted seas, and according to mapmaker Martin Waldseemuller, Vespucci was well qualified to have the continent named after him. In 1507, Waldseemuller’s map, the first to include the new continent named America, was printed.

 Today, with so many second-guessing, rewriting, and analyzing history, a great controversy exists. Most of it is about Vespucci, and one university in Germany has rebuffed Waldseemuller’s map naming ability, stating that the map was sent out erroneously with an incorrect name.

 So, it’s no wonder that merely a media mention was made. No celebrations … no parades … no “Naming of America Day” sales. (Only joking on the last one.) On March 29, 2007, Resolution 287 was submitted to the House of Representatives, “To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first use of the name `America', and for other purposes …,” which includes honoring “the explorations of Amerigo Vespucci and other navigators …”

 It’s wonderful that several State Representatives brought this bill to the House. It’s questionable why it was brought to the House less than a month before the big day, especially when the Library of Congress issued a press release when it purchased the “only known copy” of Waldseemuller’s map in 2001. Resolution 287 has been referred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Maybe it will be signed into law by October, Italian American Heritage Month.

 The Naming of America

 Amerigo Vespucci is also the name of one of the most beautiful sailing ships ever built. It’s part of La Marina Militare Italiana, which sounds so much more alluring than the Italian Navy. The ship is the oldest sailing ship in operation and its craftsmanship is considered exceptional. The staff includes 20 chefs who prepare at least 500 meals a day. Click on the links below for more about this exquisite ship.

 The Magnificent Amerigo Vespucci

 Amerigo Vespucci – Sailing Ship

 Speaking of bills, S.254, the bill to award posthumously a Congressional gold medal to Constantino Brumidi, has been passed by the Senate. It still needs to be voted in the House and signed by the president. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it, too, were signed into law by October?

 Both Vespucci and Brumidi are Honorary Members of Thirty-One Days of Italians, a title they share with 13 others; and there are only two weeks left to vote for 16 accomplished Italians and Italian Americans to join them.

 New to the Contributing to America list are Jeno Paulucci – founder of Chun King, Jeno’s Pizza, and Michelina’s frozen foods – and Vince Lombardi, so honored in football, a trophy is named after him. Cesare Beccaria, who wrote Crime and Punishment – which offered a humane approach to laws and justice, and inspired many countries to reform their criminal justice systems – has been added to Contributing to the World.

 Although nominations are closed, all contributed so significantly, they had to be added. Which shows that Thirty-One Days of Italians will be an evolving and flexible program. The Honorary Members will remain, a few more may be added, and as Thirty-One Days of Italians picks up momentum, a new vote may occur every year or every other year. You’ll find more ideas and comments in future updates on the Web site.

 For the past month, I’ve been contacting those nominated or those with links on the Web site to let them know about Thirty-One Days and to spread the word to vote. Along with the votes, responses are trickling in. The Italian Historical Society of America and the American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center have commended me on an “excellent job” and a “great idea.”

 Robert T. Walsh, S. J., President of St. Ignatius College Preparatory – which Father Michael Accolti, S.J., helped establish – writes “it’s a great recognition of the work of one of California’s true pioneers.”

 Franco Giannotti of ItaliaUSA.com is supporting Thirty-One Days, and Dan Cononico of italianamericans.com, a forum I joined in November, has set up a special thread to urge members to vote.

 Marc Davino, Assistant Director of Development and Communications for the The Iacocca Foundation, writes that Lee Iacocca “will be honored to hear about his nomination;” and Mario Andretti “was very pleased to be included in the project,” and “he sends his congratulations to you for your efforts to promote Italian American Heritage Month.” Mario Andretti’s new Web site has been added to Thirty-One Days of Italians, and at the Iacocca Foundation Web site you can purchase Mr. Iacocca’s new book, Where Have All The Leaders Gone?, with a portion of the proceeds going towards diabetes research.

 If it’s your first time visiting any of the above who support Thirty-One Days of Italians, let them know you heard about them through Tutto Italiano. If you haven’t voted yet, go directly to this page and VOTE. Support Thirty-One Days of Italians and help promote Italian heritage and culture.

 Thirty-One Days of Italians

Buon anno, buon tutto, buona vita
Janice Therese Mancuso
Author of Con Amore

www.jtmancuso.com
Thirty-One Days of Italians

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