The 161st Anniversary Of The Unification of Italy

This day represents 2 major things: the completed efforts of Garibaldi (minus the Papal States) to unify Italy on March 17, 1861 and that President Lincoln had asked the unifier of Italy to lead the Northern forces for the Civil War that was to begin literally days after the unification was concluded and the House of Savoy installed as the monarchy to rule the country.

Eleven years ago this day, the Consul-General surprised the crowd that packed the Italian American Museum and read the Proclamation signed by President Obama. It read in part, “On March 17, Italy celebrates the 150^th anniversary of its unification. On this day, we join with Italians everywhere to honor the courage, sacrifice, and vision of the patriots who gave birth to the Italian Nation. At a time when the United States was fighting for the preservation of our own Union, Giuseppe Garibaldi’s campaign for the unification of Italy inspired many around the world in their own struggles, including the 39^th New York Infantry also known as ‘The Garibaldi Guard.’ Today, the legacy of Garibaldi and all those who unified Italy lives on in the millions of American women and men of Italian descent who strengthen and enrich our nation.” He added that Garibaldi subsequently lived with the true inventor of the telephone, Antonio Meucci, in the home that now houses the Garibaldi- Meucci Museum in Staten Island.

At the conclusion of the Consul-General’s remarks, Dr. Scelsa introduced actor/playwright Mario Fratti and actress Laura Caparotti. The one-act play was an accurate but humorous interview about Garibaldi’s life and the mother of four of his children, Anita.