Thirty-One Days of Italians

The purpose of this website is to educate others about the significant contributions that those of Italian heritage have made to America. Biographies range from one to several paragraphs providing an overview, and links to a collection of selected resources are provided for more in-depth research. The information is intended to be shared and distributed; however, the work in this website is a result of massive hours of researching, organizing, creating, and writing. If you use any of the information on this website, please give proper credit by citing Thirty-One Days of Italians and adding a link to this website. Thank you.

SPORTS

Bruno Sammartino (1935-2018) The only wrestler with two Championship reigns – one of them the longest in history – in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE), Sammartino is considered the “Living Legend” and the “Italian Superman” of heavyweight wrestling. Born in Italy, Sammartino emigrated with his family to America in 1950 to join his father, who had been in Pennsylvania for about ten years. He began weightlifting in high school – at one point training for the Olympics – and became known for his wrestling performances. Catching the attention of a local wrestling promoter, in 1959, Sammartino began his career in the WWWF. After a short but successful career as a wrestler in Canada, in 1963, Sammartino returned to the WWWF to defeat the reigning heavyweight champion and held the title until 1971. Two years later, he regained the title as heavyweight champion and held it until 1977. After leaving the WWWF due to injuries, he continued to be involved in many aspects of wrestling, including appearances at Ring of Honor events.   In 1989, Sammartino was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame; in 2000, into the Ring Chronicle Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame; and in 2002, into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and the International Sports Hall of Fame. Living Legend: The Best of Bruno Sammartino [WWE] The Bruno Sammartino Technique Nine Things You Need to Know about Bruno Sammartino  With Bruno Sammartino on His Final-Ever Christmas A Look Back At Bruno Sammartino's Historic WWE Title Reign Italian Superman Bruno Sammartino Donates Championship Belt to Museum [2013, YouTube Video] Bruno Sammartino – “Our Forever Champ” Remembered Bruno Sammartino: Behind The Championship Belt (Full Documentary) [YouTube Video] Bruno Sammartino, Wrestling's Original Good-Guy Hero, Dies at 82

Giorgio Santelli (1897-1985) Son of maestro fencer Italo Santelli, Giorgio immigrated to the United States and became, what many consider, the best fencing coach of the twentieth century. Giorgio was born in Budapest, Hungary, to Italian parents. His father had moved to Hungary, by request, to teach fencing. Giorgio immigrated to America in the mid-1920s, and initially taught fencing at the New York Athletic Club, then opened Salle Santelli, a premier fencing club, and, in 1934, the United States Fencing Equipment Company (later changed to George Santelli, Inc.), one of the most well known fencing supply companies of the time. From the late 1920s to the early 1950s he was the U.S. National Coach and U.S. Olympic Coach, training and teaching fencing to produce many world champions. In 1928, Giorgio directed the fencing scenes for the Broadway production of Peter Pan. He coached and choreographed other fencing scenes on Broadway—including Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet—until the early 1960s. Giorgio was inducted into the USFA Hall of Fame in 1963, and continued to train and provide lessons throughout his life. Giorgio Santelli [Museum of American Fencing] Giorgio Santelli [New York Historical Society] Giorgio Santelli [Olympic Database] Santelli - 1920s Santelli in the 1940s Maestro Giorgio Santelli: Living by thy Sword [Esquire, September 1, 1956 (requires sign-in)] Maestro Giorgio Santelli – Foil Fundamentals [Video] Maestro Giorgio Santelli Gives a Final Lesson, 1985 [YouTube] Giorgio Santelli's Last Recorded Lesson 1985 [YouTube]

Berra played American Legion Baseball and in 1942, tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals, but refused the contract because the signing offer was too low. The following year, he signed with the New York Yankees, but put his baseball career on hold to join the United States Navy. As a gunner on the USS Bayfield, he provided cover for troops during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II. After the war, he returned to baseball, first playing in a minor-league team owned by the New York Yankees, and then with the Yankees in 1946, hitting a home run in his first game. He excelled as a catcher and bad-ball hitter, playing with the Yankees for 17 years. During that time he played in 14 World Series, winning 10, (both records), was named to the All-Star Team 15 times, and Most Valuable Player, three times.   In 1963, he switched from being a player on the team to managing the team, but it lasted just one season. The following year, he signed with the New York Mets as coach, becoming the team’s manager in 1972, and securing a National League Pennant for the Mets in 1973. The next two years, though, brought less wins then losses, and Berra was fired. In 1976, he was back with the Yankees as coach, with World Series wins for the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.  He was made manager of the team for the 1984 season, but with a third place finish, he was fired after 16 games the following year. The firing led to a rift between Berra and George Steinbrenner – the Yankee’s owner who was known for his quick management turnover – and Berra refused to enter Yankee Stadium as long as Steinbrenner was owner of the Yankees. (They settled their differences in 1999.) Berra was a bench coach for the Houston Astros or several years.   Berra was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. He is a member of Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team, and won pennants in both the American League (Yankees) and National League (Mets). Montclair State University (in New Jersey) awarded him an honorary doctorate and is the home of the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center and Yogi Berra Stadium – Berra was a longtime resident of Montclair. Two months after he died, Berra received the Presidential Medal of Honor. In May 2023, the documentary “It Ain't Over” premièred in New York and Los Angeles – a 98-minute film released on the date of his 98th birthday. The film blends historical footage and photographs with interviews from fellow teammates, sports associates, and contemporary admirers.

Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) Credited with leading the New York Yankees to nine World Championships, DiMaggio – known as “The Yankee Clipper” for his gracefulness on the field – holds the record for the longest hitting streak: 56 games from May 15th to July 17th in 1941. He was born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio in Martinez, California to his Italian immigrant parents from Sicily. Fishing had been the family’s profession for generations, and Joe’s father wanted two of his five sons to continue the tradition, but Joe had no desire to work on a boat. instead, he spent time away from his assigned duties to play baseball. He played with the Boys Club League and – at the recommendation of his older brother, Vince, who played professionally – at 18, DiMaggio filled in as a shortstop for the San Francisco Seals, a team in the Pacific Coast League. He finished the season and played the next season, setting his first hitting streak of 61 games, the second longest in Minor League history. He started with the New York Yankees in 1936, and set an American League rookie record for 29 home runs. In his first year on the team, he played in the All-Star Game and led the Yankees to play in and win the World Series. In 1939, DiMaggio received his first Most Valuable Player Award, and in 1941 – in addition to his 56-game hitting streak – DiMaggio was awarded Most Valuable Player for the second time, and the Yankees won the World Series. DiMaggio enlisted in the United States Army in 1943, and although he requested no special treatment, he was placed on the military’s baseball team, established with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s encouragement for entertaining the troops and civilians during the war. He was sent to Hawaii for a time, but recurring medical problems were the cause for his release in 1945. It was during World War II that Italian immigrants were classified as “enemy aliens,” and many were sent to detention centers. While not removed from their home, DiMaggio’s parents were required to carry photo ID, and his father’s fishing boat was seized, preventing him from providing for his family. DiMaggio returned to the Yankees in 1947, winning his third Most Valuable Player Award and another World Series for the Yankees. With DiMaggio on the team, the Yankees won the World Series in 1949, 1950, and 1951; but injuries affected his performance, and he retired from playing for the Yankees in 1951. (In 1968, DiMaggio returned to baseball as a coach for the Oakland Athletics, leaving the following year.) In 1952, he met Marilyn Monroe, and they married in 1954. The marriage lasted less than a year, but they maintained a relationship; and after her death, DiMaggio arranged for roses to be delivered to her grave for 20 years. With playing in 11 All-Star Games, voted the Greatest Living Player in 1969, and voted into the Major League Baseball All- Century Team in 1999, DiMaggio is often mentioned as one of the most celebrated baseball players in sports history. In 1955, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and 20 years later, in the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, along with his brothers Dom and Vince. In 1992, “he gave his name and fundraising efforts to support” a  children’s hospital in Hollywood, Florida. In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service issued four stamps of Major League baseball stars and held a competition for the most pre-orders. DiMaggio won. Joe DiMaggio Official Website Joe DiMaggio, The Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio Batting Statistics Joe DiMaggio [National Baseball Hall of Fame] Joe DiMaggio dies at 84 [ESPN] Baseball Heroes Still Competing Top Ten Vintage Joe DiMaggio Cards 

Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) Throughout a football career that started in his teens, Lombardi played fullback and guard, was a freshman and varsity coach, assistant coach at West Point, assistant coach of the New York Giants, and head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. In his National Football League career, he excelled in every position, bringing numerous awards and victories to all of his teams. Vincent Thomas Lombardi was born in Brooklyn, New York; where his maternal and paternal grandparents – and his father – had emigrated to from southern Italy. Lombardi had a strict Catholic upbringing and at 15, he began his studies to become a priest. After two years, he decided to change his course of study and transferred to another school, where he also played football as a fullback. He attended Fordham University, and played on the football team, as one of the “Seven Blocks of Granite,” on the offensive front line. In 1939, Lombardi took a teaching job and assistant football coach position at a Catholic high school in New Jersey, where he brought the football team to one of the top teams in the country. In 1947, he coached at Fordham, but two years later he accepted an assistant coach position as offensive line coach at West Point. Combining his experience and discipline with the traditional values of the military became the foundation for Lombardi’s coaching style. In 1954, Lombardi became the assistant coach, later known as offensive coordinator, for the New York Giants. It’s noted in Lombardi’s biography, When Pride Still Mattered, that he had concerns about not being offered a head coach position because of a prejudice against those of Italian heritage. However, the results of his coaching were extraordinary and the Green Bay Packers were in need of extraordinary measures. In 1959, he signed on as head coach for five years with the Packers, and turned the losing team into National Football League champions within three years. Under Lombardi’s leadership, the Packers earned six division titles, won five NFL championships, and became a benchmark team, winning the first two Super Bowl games. Lombardi left the Packers in 1968 and became head coach for the Washington Redskins the following season, leading the team to its first victorious record in 14 years. He was with the Redskins for just one season. In 1970, Lombardi was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer and died ten weeks later.   In 1971, the National Football League honored him by changing the name of the Super Bowl Trophy to the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The previous year, Lombardi was named the National Football League’s 1960 Man of the Decade. Among his many other honors and awards, in 1971, Lombardi was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in 1975 into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, and in 1978 into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was named Coach of the Century by ESPN.  Vince Lombardi Official Website Vince Lombardi, Legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi [Pro Football Hall of Fame] Coach Vince Lombardi: Records and Honors Vince Lombardi: Simply the Best [ESPN] Vince Lombardi’s Leadership Style When Pride Still Mattered – A Life of Vince Lombardi Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation

Rocky Marciano (1923-1969) The only heavyweight world champion to retire undefeated, Marciano gained the title in 1955 when he knocked out Archie Moore, and still holds the title – with 43 knockouts in 49 fights – more than 60 years after his final fight. The Brockton, Massachusetts son of Italian immigrants (from Abruzzo and Campania), Rocco Francis Marchegiano was more interested in baseball and football during his childhood and teen years; but it’s noted that he did work out using the Charles Atlas method. (Atlas was born Angelo Siciliano in the region of Calabria.) Marciano left school in the tenth grade and worked at odd jobs before being drafted into the United States Army in 1943. In the Army, he developed an interest in boxing and after being discharged in 1946, he boxed mostly in the amateur circuit. In the spring of 1946, he tried out as a baseball player for a farm team of the Chicago Cubs, but was cut after several weeks. With his success in prior boxing matches, he decided to pursue a career as a professional boxer. Although his short stature appeared to have the odds against him, his iron chin, right punch, and determination were in his favor. In his first professional fight in 1947, he knocked out his opponent in the third round. In 1948, under a new manager, Marciano began more disciplined training and started boxing at a rink in Providence, Rhode Island (not too far from his home in Brockton). He knocked out his first opponent in the first round. Marciano boxed in Providence until July 1951; it’s noted that it was during a match in Providence he changed his name to Marciano because the announcer had difficulties pronouncing Marchegiano. Leading up to his match against returning champ Joe Lewis, Marciano had 37 wins. In October 1951, he knocked out Lewis in the eighth round; the following year he won the World Heavyweight Championship by knocking out champion Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round. Marciano defended his title six times (with five knockouts) until 1956 when he retired from boxing. In 1969, a month before he died, Marciano participated in a fictional boxing match against Muhammad Ali, the two undefeated heavyweight champions at the time. Both were filmed in numerous sparring positions with the end results determined by computer probability. The film was aired at select theaters just once, in January 1970. Marciano died in private plane that crashed in Newton, Iowa (near Des Moines) a day before his birthday. The Ring magazine named Marciano “Fighter of the Year” in 1952, 1954, and 1955. He was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. In April 2019, the town of Newton voted “to fund the installation of the commemorative rock dedicated to Marciano … to honor the memory of this great American.” Rocky Marciano: The Brockton Blockbuster Rocky Marciano [International Boxing Hall of Fame] Muhammad Ali Vs Rocky Marciano The Super Fight N.Y.1969  (YouTube Video of Complete Match) Rocky Marciano, the Real Rocky, Came From Massachusetts Rocky Marciano-Archie Moore Remembered Rocky Marciano Project is a Knockout [Newton, Idaho] Happy Birthday to the Rock Rocky Marciano Exhibit

Mario Andretti (1940) Setting records with more than 100 wins, and earning titles of “Greatest American Driver Ever” and “Driver of the Century,” Andretti raced on paved ovals, road courses, and dirt tracks throughout his professional career. Influenced by Italian race car legend Alberto Ascari, at 19, Andretti started driving in dirt track and stock car races. In 1964, he joined the United States Auto Club – a sports association that accredited auto racing – and a year later, he finished third in the Indianapolis 500 and earned Rookie of the Year honors. In 1967, Andretti won the Daytona 500 and two years later, he came in first at the Indy 500. His list of numerous racing accomplishments includes awards as the only driver to be named Driver of the Year in three decades: 1967, 1978, and 1984; the only driver to win the Daytona 500, Indy 500, and Formula One World Championship; and winner of the Indy Car National Champion in 1965, 1966, 1969, and 1984; among many other honors. In 1981, he was elected into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. After his retirement from racing in 1994, Andretti founded a winery. His interest in racing continues with the Mario Andretti Racing Experience, media interviews, and his son and grandson who have followed Andretti’s lead. Official Website Mario Andretti Biography  Formula One Hall of Fame Career Statistics Andretti Winery Lunch with Mario Andretti (Motor Sport; March 2007)

Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center Yogi Berra Batting Statistics Yogi Berra [National Baseball Hall of Fame] Lawrence “Yogi” Berra [The American Legion] Yogi Berra Biography [ESPN] Yogi Berra was not just one of MLB's great characters, but one of its greatest players ‘It ain’t over’ for Yogi Berra’s Lombard heritage Six commercials showing the lovable side of Yogi Berra NEW Yogi's Legendary Personality Shines Through in New Documentary NEW Yogi Berra’s Baseball Greatness and Exemplary Life Recognized in New Documentary

2022-23 List of Names

Yogi Berra (1925-2015) Recognized as one of the most popular sports figure in Major League Baseball, Berra is as famous for his quotes, known as yogi-isms, as he is for his baseball career. He was born Lorenzo Pietro Berra in the Italian section of St. Louis to immigrant parents. (Both his parents are from the small town of Malvaglio, about 15 miles northwest of Milan.) In his teens, a childhood friend – in comparing the cross-legged way Berra sat to a yogi, a yoga practitioner – gave him the nickname and Lawrence became Yogi.

2023-24 List of Names