The Contributions of Italians to America The Contributions of Italians to America

Christopher Columbus

Landed in San Salvador in Landed in San Salvador in He is responsible for finding the Americas. He is responsible for finding the Americas. We now celebrate a holiday in his name on the second Monday of each October. We now celebrate a holiday in his name on the second Monday of each October. It is in honor of his October 12 th discovery that eventually led to our country’s founding. It is in honor of his October 12 th discovery that eventually led to our country’s founding.

Giovanni Da Verrazano

Born in Tuscany, Italy in Born in Tuscany, Italy in He was a Florentine Explorer sailing under the French Flag. He was a Florentine Explorer sailing under the French Flag. He was the first European to sight New York. He was the first European to sight New York. He set sail in January of 1524 with two French Vessels. He set sail in January of 1524 with two French Vessels.

Giovanni Da Verrazano In March he arrived in Cape Fear North Carolina. In March he arrived in Cape Fear North Carolina. He was the first to find New York Bay and Block Island. He was the first to find New York Bay and Block Island. He didn’t get the credit that he deserved. It was named after Henry Hudson. He didn’t get the credit that he deserved. It was named after Henry Hudson. 85 years later in 1609 was when Hudson named it after himself. 85 years later in 1609 was when Hudson named it after himself.

William Paca

Born October 31, 1740 Born October 31, 1740 Went to Philadelphia College. (Later became U Penn.) Went to Philadelphia College. (Later became U Penn.) Provincial Legislature ( ) Provincial Legislature ( ) Continental Congress ( ) Continental Congress ( ) He signed the Declaration of Independence. He signed the Declaration of Independence.

William Paca In the Continental Congress, he contributed to the Constitution. In the Continental Congress, he contributed to the Constitution. He proposed some twenty amendments to it. He proposed some twenty amendments to it he was appointed as a U.S. District Judge he was appointed as a U.S. District Judge. Held this position for 10 years until his death in Held this position for 10 years until his death in 1799.

Antonio Meucci

Alexander Graham Bell? Alexander Graham Bell? He was the man credited with the discovery of the telephone. He was the man credited with the discovery of the telephone. It should have been credited to Meucci. It should have been credited to Meucci. Born near Florence in April Born near Florence in April 1808.

Antonio Meucci He invented the telephone in 1849, and filed his first patent caveat in He invented the telephone in 1849, and filed his first patent caveat in This set into motion a chain of mysterious events. This set into motion a chain of mysterious events. These events weren’t so well documented though. These events weren’t so well documented though. That is why not many people know about it. That is why not many people know about it.

Antonio Meucci He discovered that he could hear his friend talking through a piece of copper wire running between them. He discovered that he could hear his friend talking through a piece of copper wire running between them. He spent ten years bringing his discovery to a practical stage. He spent ten years bringing his discovery to a practical stage. He had a big problem with the English language though. He had a big problem with the English language though. Financial trouble also plagued him. Financial trouble also plagued him.

Antonio Meucci He was in a steamship accident, in which he was severely burned. He was in a steamship accident, in which he was severely burned. His wife proceeded to sell his telephone invention as well as other working inventions for a price of SIX DOLLARS! His wife proceeded to sell his telephone invention as well as other working inventions for a price of SIX DOLLARS! After he was well he tried to get these things back. He was told they were sold to “an unknown young man.” After he was well he tried to get these things back. He was told they were sold to “an unknown young man.”

Antonio Meucci He didn’t have the money for the patent, so he kept renewing his caveat. He didn’t have the money for the patent, so he kept renewing his caveat. He tried to show the potential of his invention to Western Union Telegraph Co. He tried to show the potential of his invention to Western Union Telegraph Co. He was told that they had no time for his invention. He was told that they had no time for his invention.

Antonio Meucci In 1876 Alexander Graham Bell filed his patent. In 1876 Alexander Graham Bell filed his patent. Meucci had his lawyer protest the patent. Meucci had his lawyer protest the patent. He was informed that his documents regarding the talking telegraph had been lost. He was informed that his documents regarding the talking telegraph had been lost.

Antonio Meucci Later investigations show that there were illegal relations with the patent company and Bell’s company. Later investigations show that there were illegal relations with the patent company and Bell’s company. It was revealed that Bell agreed to pay Western Union 20 percent of his profits. It was revealed that Bell agreed to pay Western Union 20 percent of his profits.

Antonio Meucci He brought bell to court in 1886, but the case kept getting postponed, until his death in He brought bell to court in 1886, but the case kept getting postponed, until his death in The case was then dropped and that was that. The case was then dropped and that was that.

Charles J. Bonaparte

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 9 th Born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 9 th He received a law degree from Harvard University. He received a law degree from Harvard University. After that he began his career in jurisprudence. After that he began his career in jurisprudence. In 1908 President Roosevelt appointed him the 46 th Attorney General of The United States. In 1908 President Roosevelt appointed him the 46 th Attorney General of The United States.

Charles J. Bonaparte He was in Charge of Trust Busting. He was in Charge of Trust Busting. He didn’t have a permanent investigative staff. He didn’t have a permanent investigative staff. The justice department was limited to hiring only temporary investigators. Coming from the Secret Service. The justice department was limited to hiring only temporary investigators. Coming from the Secret Service.

Charles J. Bonaparte July 28 th, 1908 Roosevelt made his investigative force a permanent subdivision of the Department of Justice. July 28 th, 1908 Roosevelt made his investigative force a permanent subdivision of the Department of Justice. In 1935 what began as a 23 man unit under Bonaparte, was renamed the Federal Bureau of investigation. In 1935 what began as a 23 man unit under Bonaparte, was renamed the Federal Bureau of investigation.

Riccardo Giacconi

The Physics Nobel Prize Winner in The Physics Nobel Prize Winner in A research professor in X-ray astronomy research. A research professor in X-ray astronomy research. At this position he was the lead administrator of groups that build astronomical observatories. At this position he was the lead administrator of groups that build astronomical observatories.

Riccardo Giacconi