October 1: The Italian Immigrant [HM]

A day to honor every Italian who journeyed to America from Italy.

October 2: Amadeo Pietro Giannini [HM]

Established the branch banking system in America.

October 3: Guglielmo Marconi [HM]

Known as the Father of Radio for his experiments with long distance wireless transmissions.

October 4: Filippo Mazzei [HM]

Supporter of American freedom during American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson’s inclusion of “all men are created equal” into the Declaration of Independence is a paraphrase of Mazzei’s “All men are by nature equally free and independent.”

October 5: Antonio Meucci [HM]

Original holder of the patent for the forerunner of today’s telephone.

October 6: Father Michael Accolti

One of the first Italian Jesuits missionaries in the Pacific Northwest. Established the California Province of Jesuits, helped start St. Ignatius College (later became San Francisco University).

October 7: Joseph Barbera

Scriptwriter, illustrator, and co-partner of Hanna-Barbera Productions, producing for television Tom and Jerry, Huckleberry Hound, Quick Draw McGraw, The Flintstones, The Yogi Bear Show, The Jetsons, and Scooby Doo, among many others.

October 8: Enrico de Tonti

Exploring for the French under the name Henri de Tonti, he arrived in America with La Salle in 1678. Established the first settlement in Arkansas, earning him the title "Father of Arkansas.”

October 9: Father Pietro Bandini [HM]

Missionary for Native Americans. In 1898 established Tontitown, “a perfect example of colonization," in Arkansas.

October 10: Enrico Fermi [HM]

Discovered radioactive elements that heralded the nuclear age.

October 11: Antonio Pasin [HM]

Created Radio Flyer wagon.

October 12: Christopher Columbus [HM]

Navigator that changed the world, opening trade routes and immigration from Europe to the Americas.

October 13: Maria Montessori, M.D [HM]

Developed an educational method for teaching children.

October 14: Luigi Del Bianco

Chief stone carver on Mt. Rushmore, worked 1933 to 1941, adding the final details to the faces on the monument, repairing a crack in Jefferson’s lip, and carving the eyes of Lincoln.

October 15: Robert Charles Gallo

Founder and director of the Institute of Human Virology. Gallo is co-discoverer of the HIV virus that causes AIDS, and developed the HIV blood test.

October 16: Jacuzzi Family

In 1947, Candido Jacuzzi developed a hydrotherapy pump that was placed into the tub to circulate the water. In 1966, he enclosed the pump, making the first whirlpool tub.

October 17: Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini [HM]

First American citizen to become a saint.

October 18: Enrico Caruso [HM]

World’s most acclaimed tenor in the early 1900s.

October 19: Eusebio Francisco Kino [Francesco Chini]

A Jesuit sent to Mexico in 1681. Charted maps and discovered that Baja California was a peninsula. His maps of the southwest were used until the early 1800s.

October 20: Amedeo Obici

Founder of Planters Peanuts, and developer of a new way to roast and blanch peanuts.

October 21: Arturo Toscanini [HM]

One of the world’s greatest orchestra conductors.

October 22: Jeno F. Paulucci

Founder of Chun King Chinese Food, Jeno’s Pizza, and Bellisio Foods, the parent company of Michelina’s, and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF).

October 23: Francis Rogallo

Developed the Rogallo wing, a flexible wing that earned him the title "father of modern hang gliding."

October 24: R.A. Salvatore

Fantasy author with over 10 million copies of his books sold worldwide.

October 25: Amerigo Vespucci [HM]

Namesake of America.

October 26: Francesco Scavullo

One of the most prominent glamour, fashion, and celebrity photographers in the world.

October 27: Constantino Brumidi [HM]

Known as the “Michelangelo of the [U.S.] Capitol.”

October 28: Charlie Angelo Siringo

One of the first Pinkerton undercover detectives, and attributed as a leading figure of cowboy heroes of the American West.

October 29: Frank J. Zamboni

Creator of the world’s first ice resurfacing machine.

October 30: Andrea Palladio [HM]

"Father of Architecture," wrote The Four Books on Architecture, the most famous and influential books on architecture of all time, and still in print.

October 31: Your Favorite Italian

Celebrate someone not on the list, but greatly admired.