IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
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Ottobre 2021 THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
An Italian American Publication
NUMERO 10
Columbus Day by Courtney Kamm
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. The holiday is the second Monday in October and this year takes place on October 11. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. But throughout its history, Columbus Day and Christopher Columbus himself have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have been proposed since the 1970s including Indigenous Peoples’ Day, says History.com. In some parts of the United States, Columbus Day has evolved into a celebration of Italian-American heritage including parades and street fairs featuring colorful costumes, music and Italian food. Saint Louis typically celebrates with the Italian Heritage Parade and Festa on The Hill (see page 2 for details).
Italian Heritage Month by Courtney Kamm
October is Italian Heritage Month, to coincide with Columbus Day, and is marked by recognizing and celebrating the contributions and achievements of ItalianAmericans. Here are five ways Italians changed American history: 1. America’s name is inspired by Italian
explorer, Amerigo Vespucci. 2. An Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus, discovered the “New World.” 3. An Italian first mapped the East Coast. 4. The Declaration of Independence has Italian inspiration. 5. The pope helped Italian immigrants. What is your favorite way to celebrate Italian Heritage Month? Maybe enjoying an Italian potluck with friends or enjoying your favorite Italian dessert with relatives. Whatever it may be, make sure to share the experience with us! Email photos from your celebrations to courtney@ilpensiero.com.
Padre Pio by Courtney Kamm
Legendary filmmaker Abel Ferrara, known for taking big risks on the big screen, announced back in August that Shia LaBeouf will star in his upcoming film about the Italian saint, Padre Pio. In an interview with Variety, Ferrara announced Shia LaBeouf would play the lead and gave some insight into the storyline, “...He’s [Padre Pio] a monk from Puglia. It’s set in Italy right after World War I.” Although LaBeouf has had a successful career as an actor, it comes as shocking news to most that he will star in the film as he stepped out of the public eye recently after his former partner, FKA Twigs, filed a lawsuit claiming their relationship was “rife with abuse.” It is currently unclear whether or not the film will come to fruition given the
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scandals surrounding its lead actor.
Halloween by Courtney Kamm
Halloween’s origins date back over 2,500 years ago to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1 and believed that on the night before the new year, October 31, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. It was on this night that the festival of Samhain would take place and people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off the ghosts they believed returned to earth. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints Day, incorporating some of the traditions of Samhain, and the evening before as Hallows Eve. This would eventually become Halloween. Halloween, October 31, has since evolved into a day of activities like trickor-treating, carving faces into pumpkins, dressing up in costumes, and more! What are you going to be for Halloween? Send your best costume and trick-or-treating photos to courtney@ilpensiero.net to be featured in the next issue. Happy Halloween!
“The Italian Language is part of the Equity Project” to expand access to foreign
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