The record of this “grand patriotic celebration in tribute to Italy” points to the pursuit of happiness on a national and international level. The First World War, then known as the Great War, had commenced on July 28th, 1914, and ended on November 11th, 1918. The war brought out a very interesting turn of alliances. Since 1882, Italy had made up one third of a Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, yet took a neutral stance during the initial stages of the World War in 1914. However, by 1915 Italy had parted ways with its former allies and signed the Treaty of London, officially joining forces with Great Britain and France. The United States entered the alliance in the spring of 1917, solidifying the political bond between North America and Italy. The Italian-Americans who entered the war entered the brotherhood of American heroes, raising them from the status of immigrant to true American. Thus, on November 17th, 1918, the day victory was celebrated throughout New York City, the Italians were included in President Woodrow Wilson’s nation-wide tribute to American soldiers. The celebration in the announcement above pays respect to Italy’s heritage by addressing the reader in his native language, reaching out to include those who might not have mastered the English language. The event was hosted by President Wilson’s United War Work Campaign, and played a part in his fundraiser for which he hoped to raise $170,500,000 in order to give back to the men who fought for his country. Noted at the bottom of the announcement is the ticket price: 50 soldi.  The event was to be held in the Armory in Upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights, an area somewhat far off from Little Italy’s centric Mulberry Street, yet an area that is rich with American victory in warfare.

 

Though Italian-Americans suffered many casualties, the war allowed them to prove their allegiance to the United States in a distinctly profound action. Their effort in the country’s success allowed Americans to recognized Italian immigrants as fellow citizens, allowing Italian-Americans to reach a new level of success in their pursuit of happiness in the United States. 

 

References

 

The impact of world war I and world war II on Italian Americans in Oswego, New York: A preliminary view., 2013, from http://oswegohistorian.org/2011/07/impact-world-war-1-and-world-war-2-italian-americans-oswego-new-york/

 

The History Channel. This day in history: World war I: May 23, 1915, Italy declares war on Austria. Retrieved 10/28, 2013, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/italy-declares-war-on-austria-hungary

 

 

Metadata tags: United War Work Campaign; Woodrow Wilson; President Wilson; November 17th; World War I; WWI; The First World War; The Great War; victory; Triple Alliance; Germany; Austria-Hungary; Treaty of London; alliance; Italian-Americans; American hero; New York City; fundraiser; The Armory; pursuit of happiness