L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE D ear Readers, Presi- dents Day will be observed in February 17th this year. Many years ago, Lincoln's birthday — February 12, 1809 — and Washington's birthday — February 22, 1732 — were cele- brated individually and school children throughout the USA had two days off in February instead of one. Presidents Day Observance can include them all. I personally now include our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, (April 13, 1743) because of his many Italian Connections, especially those with Filippo Mazzei. *** Abraham Lincoln From the log cabin near Hodgensville, Kentucky, where Abraham Lincoln was born, the Lincoln family moved first to Indiana and then to Illinois. At New Salem, Illinois, he clerked in a store, studied law and took part in the political talk of the day. After he began his practice of law he was elected to the Illinois legislature, and then to Congress. He cherished the Union, and he recognized that it was threat- ened. He rose to national promi- nence thanks to the Cooper Union address and in 1860 was elected President. In April, after his inaugura- tion, the War between the States began. Lincoln met every crisis with poise and courage. In January, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. He was re- elected in 1864. Early in 1865, Lincoln had the satisfaction of knowing that the Union had been preserved. On the evening of April 14, while President and Mrs. Lincoln sat in their box at the Ford Theater, Lincoln was shot by actor, John Wilkes Booth. According to an official report published years later, President Lincoln's bodyguard, officer John Parker was not in the presi- dential box when Lincoln was shot, having left his position to go to the saloon next door for intermission. According to Mrs. Lincoln's dressmaker, the widow blamed him for her husband's murder. He was fired three years after Lincoln's death when he was found sleeping on the job. It was Lincoln who signed a bill creating the Secret Service. The same federal law enforce- ment agency that today ensures the safety of the president. However, in the agency's early years its sole duty was to sup- press counterfeiting. *** George Washington In 1799, "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," was written of Washington at the time of his death to describe the immortal place he holds in history and in the affections of the American people. As a young man, he estab- lished a reputation for truthful- ness and honesty. He worked hard and performed his tasks with great care and accuracy. In his first military engage- ments with General Braddock, Washington showed courage and sound judgment. In civil life he attended many public assemblies and, while a member of the Second Continental Congress, was chosen as commander in chief of the Continental Army. After his brilliant achieve- ments in the American Revolution, Washington exerted his immense influence on behalf of a stronger central government. Six years after his resignation as commander in chief he was unan- imously chosen the first President of the United States and served 1789-1797. *** Thomas Jefferson Jefferson was the second Virginian to be elected President. He was born at Shadwell, Albemarle County. When Jefferson was only fourteen, his father died, leaving him to care for his family, but also with some land and a honored name in the community. Jefferson inherited his father's aptness for mathematics, his love for exploring new countries and his ability to draw. Attending William and Mary College, he acquired both classi- cal and practical knowledge. Law, however, was his chosen profession and a means by which he greatly increased his own for- tune. After his marriage he built his home, Monticello, at the top of one of his native hills. His skill as a horseman and his musical tal- ents added much to his social charm and popularity. Because of his literary ability, he was often asked to write papers of various kind, and the honor of writing the Declaration of Independence was his. A leader of democratic ideals and an able public servant, Jefferson was elected to succeed John Adams. Jefferson was a popular man and a popular Isaia Benito Izzo who was born on February 2nd, 1928 in Torrecuso, Italy passed away on January 13th, 2020 in Arcadia, CA. Isaia lived a life filled with joy, love, and dedication to his family. As an Immigrant from Italy, he worked hard to live out the American dream and live an exemplary life as a President. Filippo Mazzei was born in 1730 near Florence. He studied medicine but practiced outside of Italy as a surgical assistant in Constantinople. He later served as a ship's doctor aboard a British vessel, went to London and stayed there 15 years. In London he gave Italian lessons and later became a wine and oil merchant. A letter from the Florence Museum curator for a Franklin stove caused Mazzei to strike up a friendship with Ben Franklin, then in London, as agent of the Colony of Pennsylvania. At Franklin's sug- gestion he began a correspon- dence with a Virginia landowner who wanted to improve his Italian, Thomas Jefferson. In 1773, at Jefferson's invita- tion, Mazzei went to Virginia. Jefferson was intrigued by Italian culture. He had taught himself Italian, and when Mazzei brought workmen from Italy to build his new home — to be called "Colle" or "Hill" — Jefferson was able to converse with them in a proper Tuscan dialect. In 1775, Jefferson adviced Mazzei to write a series of arti- cles explaining the philosophical grounds for revolution against England. During the next several years, Mazzei neglected his agricultural interests to work for the Revolution: he wrote pamphlets, traveled to Paris to raise money. One of his many pamphlets, printed in the Virginia Gazzette in 1776, contained an idea which every American schoolchild learns. It was the concept of political equality. In A Nation of Immigrants, John F. Kennedy wrote that Jefferson's "great doctrine 'All men are cre- ated equal' was paraphrased from the writings of Philip Mazzei." Mazzei had put it thus: Tutti gli uomini sono per natura egual- mente liberi e indipendenti. Celebrating a Legacy: Community, Culture, Education & Service Italian Community Services continues to assist Bay Area Italian-American seniors and their families navigate and manage the resources needed to live healthy, independent and productive lives. Additionally, we are committed to preserve our community's strong Italian traditions, language and culture to ensure they remain a source of strength and identity for future generations. Learn about services and how to get involved: ItalianCS.com | (415) 362-6423 | info@italiancs.com In loving memory of Isaia Benito Izzo 1928-2020 wonderful father, husband, grandfather, and friend. Isaia is survived by his wife Maria, sons Lino and Carlo, daughter-in- laws Pam and Stephanie, and grand- c h i l d r e n P a u l i n a , C a r l o , G i u l i a n a , Francesca, and Chiara. Isaia will contin- ue to live on through those that he loved and those who had the honor and privi- lege of loving him. In lieu of flowers please send dona- tions to: Methodist Hospital Foundation PO Box 60016 Arcadia , Ca 91066 Attn: Bridget McKay For: Bashir Ahmad Scholarship - Izzo Memorial This scholarship supports educa- tional programs for the wonderful nurs- e s a n d s t a ff a t A r c a d i a M e t h o d i s t Hospital

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