Preserving Italian American Heritage
Family. Tradition. Legacy.
Celebrating the rich culture, enduring values, and proud history of Italian Americans — for this generation and the next.
News, History & Action
Italian Americans: History, Population, Culture & Identity
Italian Americans are the 16 million+ U.S. residents who trace ancestry to Italy. History, population data, immigration, culture, cuisine, and identity.
Read StoryMake an Impact
Your tax-deductible donation preserves heritage stories, digitizes archives, and creates educational resources.
Educational Resources
Published articles and research guides illuminating Italian American history. K-16 curriculum materials are planned.
Explore resourcesLa Festa di San Giuseppe: Altars & Heart of Italian America
La Festa di San Giuseppe explained — the Sicilian altar tradition, the zeppole, the New Orleans parade, and how Italian Americans keep March 19 today.
Read all stories
Italian Americans by the Numbers
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
The Alghini Institute for Italian Americans (AIIA) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
EIN: 99-0439703Clean Streets Initiative — Active Pilot
- Operating a local Adopt-A-Street cleanup pilot in Phoenix, Arizona
- Inviting volunteers to participate in community stewardship
- Documenting cleanup activity and lessons from the pilot
- Exploring a future national expansion after the pilot is evaluated
A Historical Journey
From the ports of Southern Italy to communities across America, trace the arc of a people who built a new life without forgetting the old one.
The Great Wave Begins
Millions leave Southern Italy seeking opportunity. Packed into steamships, they carry little more than hope and the recipes of their nonnas.
Ellis Island & New Roots
Over 4 million Italians pass through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. Little Italys spring up in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
Building Community
Italian mutual aid societies, parishes, and family businesses form the backbone of vibrant immigrant neighborhoods. Language, food, and faith bind them together.
Service & Sacrifice
Over 1.5 million Italian Americans serve in World War II, proving their loyalty and sacrifice while many families endure internment and discrimination.
A Living Heritage
More than 16 million Americans reported Italian ancestry in the 2022 American Community Survey. Our mission: ensure the next generation inherits not just the name, but the stories, values, and traditions.
Our Programs
Educational Publications
ActiveResearch articles and heritage resources published on italianamericans.com.
Story Submission
ActiveCommunity members submit family immigration stories through public forms.
Digital Heritage Archive
In developmentA planned digital archive for oral histories, photographs, and genealogical records. Currently in development.
Community Heritage Projects
In developmentA volunteer-led street-cleanup pilot in Phoenix, Arizona, with plans for national expansion.
Latest Stories
Italian American Food: From Cucina Povera to Sunday Gravy
From cucina povera to Sunday gravy: the real history of Italian American food, the dishes invented in America, and why your family's recipes are heritage.
Italian American Festivals 2026: Month-by-Month Calendar
Major Italian American feasts and festivals, January to December — San Gennaro, the Giglio, St. Joseph's Day — with 2026 dates checked against official sources.
Sicilian Last Names: Meanings, Origins & 3,000 Years
What your Sicilian surname reveals — 3,000 years of conquest in the 20 most common names, the La/Lo/Li article names, and the Albanian layer most guides miss.
Every Dollar Builds Our Future
Your donation directly funds the preservation and celebration of Italian American heritage
Supports Heritage Preservation
Supports Archive Digitization
Supports Educational Resources
