The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSIA) is the largest and longest-established national organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States. Originally called "L'Ordine Figli d'Italia," the Order Sons of Italy in America was established in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City on June 22, 1905, by Vincenzo Sellaro, M.D., and five other Italian immigrants who came to the United States during the great Italian migration (1880-1923). Today, OSIA has more than 600,000 members and supporters and a network of more than 650 chapters coast-to-coast, making it the leading service and advocacy organization for the nation's estimated 26 million people of Italian descent. To date, OSIA members have given more than $115 million to educational programs, disaster relief, cultural advancement and medical research. Our motto, LIBERTY-EQUALITY-FRATERNITY, has inspired thousands of Americans of Italian heritage from all walks of life, to build an outstanding record of accomplishments throughout our more than 100 year history. In recognition of these accomplishments, the 96th Congress of the United States of America passed, and President Jimmy Carter signed, a proclamation making June 22, 1980, National Italian-American Day in honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of our order. Like our motto, this great honor has inspired us to not only continue our great work, but to improve on it! |
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