FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(Washington, DC – July 16, 2003) Milestones of the Italian American Experience, an interactive Internet timeline, is now available on the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) web site atwww.niaf.org/milestones. This timeline captures the richness of the Italian American experience and highlights the many valuable contributions and achievements Italian Americans have made in the United States while also exploring the adversities encountered along the way.

By clicking on one of the 100 plus entries, one can learn about such interesting topics as the Sacco and Vanzetti case, artist Constantino Brumidi’s masterpieces in the United States Capitol, and the legendary performances of Frank Sinatra. As an interactive research and educational tool, Milestonespromises to appeal to people of varied backgrounds, ages, and educational levels.

“Milestones provides an opportunity for Italian Americans to explore and to reconnect with their special history, which has not been adequately told in many schools and universities,” NIAF ChairmanFrank J. Guarini said. “And there is no one better to write our history than Professor LaGumina…NIAF is extremely pleased to have such a distinguished scholar undertake this important project,” added Guarini.

Dr. Salvatore J. LaGumina, professor emeritus and director of the Center for Italian American Studies at Nassau Community College, is the author of the timeline entries. He is a recognized authority on Italian American history and has written several books and published numerous articles on the topic. An awarded educator and well recognized scholar, he has also served as guest lecturer and visiting professor at Wesleyan and Adelphi Universities and is the former president of the American Italian Historical Association (AIHA).