Richard Capozola’s
1738
1787
Florence, Italy completes a solid gold OREO press for King Louis XV of France. This enables the monarch to bulge a cookie filling without damaging the delicate chocolate wafer. Today, Oreo is America’s best selling cookie.
Caesar Rodney, patriot from the first state of Delaware, begins his famous two-day ride to Philadelphia where he casts the decisive vote for Independence. Rodney joins with William Paca in 1776, becoming the only two Italian singers of the Declaration.
1757 Violinist Francis Alberti gives a concert attendend by George Washington. Later, Thomas Jefferson writes, “I got him (Alberti) to come to Monticello and took lessons for several years.Jefferson spoke fluent Italian and became an accomplished violinist.
1791 Alesandro Malaspina is among the first Italians to visit San Francisco. Malaspina surveys the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Mexico as part of scientific expedition. He remains in Menterey, California for 10 days. Malaspina and other members of the expedition make botanical and geological studies, take soundings in the bay, draw maps and charts, and interview local Indians.
1767 The colonists take quickly to spaghetti. Sam Bowen, an Englishman, applies for permission and to establish a vermicelli factory.
1776 Three of the first four American warships are named after Italian: Columbus, Cabot, and the Doria.
William Paca (1740 - 1799) of Maryland sings the Declaration of Independence. Later, he becomes Governor and Chief Justice of the state. Paca’s family is traced to Cardinal Pacca (1756-1844) of Naples and Benevento.
Summer 2006/AMICI 20
1792 Thomas Jefferson writes to the Commissioners of Washington about Giuseppe Ceracchi, saying he is “unquestionably an artist od first class.” Among the 37 models of great men sculpted live by Ceracchi atre Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, clinton, and John Paul Jones.