John D Calandra Italian American Institute

05/27/2026

in 1924, The Johnson-Reed Act of 1924, signed by President Calvin Coolidge, introduced strict national origin quotas to shape U.S. immigration policy, favoring Northern Europeans while severely limiting entry for Southern and Eastern Europeans, nearly all Asians, and Africans. It capped immigration at 2% of a nationality’s U.S. population as of 1890, drastically reducing the number of visas.

As an example of how this law affected various people, Italian immigration dropped from over 200,000 in 1921 to around 6,000 in 1925 after the law’s enactment. The Baldizzi family was one such family directly impacted. Adolfo Baldizzi immigrated in 1923, just before the law passed, and was separated from his wife Rosaria –who lived in Italy–for two years due to the new visa restrictions. Adolfo and Rosaria would eventually become U.S. citizens, and Josephine’s memories shared with the museum recall her mother and father’s love of voting and pride in becoming citizens.

Join us on our “Under One Roof” tour to hear the Baldizzi family’s full story.

📷 President Calvin Coolidge signs a bill in 1926, Library of Congress

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

If you missed VISI, our historic photo exhibition of portraits by Antonio D'Alfonso, you can catch it again at the Oshawa Italian Recreation Club this coming SUNDAY MAY 31 on the occasion of the Espresso and Ink Literary Afternoon!
Don't miss it! https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1494044042762876&set=pcb.1494044059429541

05/27/2026

'Framing and Reframing Migrations' examines how media shapes the public's perception of migration, exploring the framing strategies that dominate coverage and policy debates across Europe, with Italy as a focal case.

Link in the comments.

05/26/2026

Quali sono le capacità degli italo-australiani di seconda e terza generazione di comprendere e partecipare al dibattito politico italiano? Un nuovo studio presentato al COASIT Melbourne lo scorso febbraio ha provato a rispondere a questa domanda. (Link nei commenti) 👇

05/26/2026

05/24/2026

The ‘fearless’ and ‘relentless,’ Philly-born artist was enjoying a late-life renaissance.

05/24/2026

"The New York Public Library today announced the acquisition of the professional and personal archive of Gay Talese, the pioneering journalist, bestselling author, and leading light of the New Journalism movement. The collection documents in scrupulous detail over 80 years of Talese’s life and career, from his earliest high school bylines to his most influential works of reportage, including his groundbreaking Esquire article ‘Frank Sinatra Has a Cold’.”

The definitive archive spans 80 years and provides unprecedented insight into the life and work of the New Journalism pioneer. 

05/23/2026

"Unlike many of his later fans, who were middle-class baby boomers, Mazzocchi was shaped by his childhood experience during the Depression, followed by Army service in the Battle of the Bulge. He came from a boisterous, pro-labor Italian American family in Bensonhurst, a Brooklyn neighborhood later known for its white working-class conservatism and residents with mob ties.

Mazzocchi’s two sisters and a closeted gay uncle were Communist Party (CP) members. Despite growing up in that milieu, Tony never joined the CP. As Leopold reports, Mazzocchi regarded 'formal Marxism and its terminology to be too doctrinaire.'

He was more influenced by left-wingers with a popular touch. He actively supported socialist Congressman Vito Marcantonio’s unsuccessful 1949 campaign for New York City mayor as an American Labor Party candidate. According to Leopold, the young World War II veteran 'watched and learned how Marc carefully serviced his base, while also staking out radical positions. Not only did he care for ‘workers’ as a political category — he cared for his constituents personally'."

In the latter half of the 20th century, labor leader Tony Mazzocchi fought for a progressive political vision that put working-class concerns front and center. His example continues to be invaluable for labor and the Left today.

05/22/2026

On this episode of Italics, our guest is Professor Giovanni Braico, and then we go to the NIAF annual gala at Cipriani in New York. Giovanni Braico teaches Global Arts and Cultures in the Liberal Studies Program at New York University. He spoke at the Calandra Institute on Arbëreshë — Italian Albanian — migration to the United States and later joined us to visit the Arbëreshë community on Long Island to celebrate the annual V’lami luncheon.

On this episode of Italics, our guest is Professor Giovanni Braico, and then we go to the NIAF annual gala at Cipriani in New York.Giovanni Braico teaches Gl...