Italian American Heritage Month

The Council is recognizing October 2026 as Italian American Heritage Month and honoring the contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans to Boston.

More than 26 million Americans trace their heritage to Italy, making Italian Americans one of the largest ethnic communities in the United States. Italian American Heritage Month was first recognized by the United States Congress in October 1989 to honor the contributions of Italian Americans and celebrate their influence on the nation’s history, culture, and civic life. In 1998, the Massachusetts General Court formally designated October as Italian American Heritage Month.

Beginning in the 1860s, thousands of immigrants from regions throughout Italy, including Liguria, Campania, Abruzzo, Sicily, and Lazio, made their homes in Boston. Italian American communities grew in neighborhoods including the North End, East Boston, Brighton, Hyde Park, and South Boston.

The resolution notes that generations of Italian immigrants and their descendants persevered despite discrimination, economic hardship, and barriers to full participation in American society. Italian Americans made lasting contributions to Boston’s neighborhoods, businesses, labor movement, arts, public institutions, and civic life. The resolution also recognizes Italian Americans who have served Boston in public service, including Thomas M. Menino, the city’s longest-serving mayor and the grandson of Italian immigrants.

Boston’s Italian American community continues to strengthen the city by preserving and sharing traditions of family, faith, food, music, art, mutual aid, and community service. The resolution recognizes Italian American Heritage Month as an opportunity to celebrate these traditions, honor the courage and sacrifices of previous generations, and recognize those carrying their legacy forward.

As part of the recognition, the Council requests that the Property Management Department raise the Italian flag on the third flagpole at Boston City Hall Plaza on October 6, 2026, in honor of Boston’s Italian American community.