Italians have a long and robust history in the Boston area. Starting in the late 1800s Italians were making the journey to find opportunity across the Atlantic. Many Italians took their first steps on American soil while departing a ship on Ellis Island. Many, like my own great-grandfather, were processed and made their way to meet family in Massachusetts. This history has left a lasting impression on the culture of Boston; we need look no further than the cobblestone streets of the North End. It measures only one square mile but its impact is immeasurable; consider that two national food companies, Pastene and Prince Spaghetti, were started in the North End.

The North End has always been a destination for new immigrants. Although today we still have a strong Italian influence, before the late 1800s there were significant populations of Irish and Jews. During the 1890s and the early twentieth century, numerous Italians made their way to the United States to find opportunity, with many making their way into the North End. At first, many came for seasonal jobs and then headed back home with the money they made. Statistics can be difficult to come by but the 1890s saw an average of about 60,000 Italian immigrants a year. The new century saw even more immigrants from Italy coming to find opportunity and start a new life. In fact, eighty per cent of Italian immigrants entered the United States between 1901 and 1914.

Subsequent Immigration was kept down by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1924, which was amended several times. This law put quotas on immigrants allowed into the United States. For instance, between 1952 and 1965 the quota for Italian immigrants was 5,666, but special provisions made it possible to allow more in. About seventy per cent of Italian immigrants settled in the Northeast, and although New York drew the most Italians many came to the Boston area. According to statistics from the 1960s, Boston ranked fourth in Italian population behind New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.

The influence of Italian culture in the Boston area remains very strong. Many tourists choose Boston as their destination in order to experience the ambience of the North End, considered by outsiders as Boston’s Little Italy. Italian restaurants, cafes and pastry shops remind people of trips to Italy; or, in lieu of those trips, a taste of what Italy might be like. They search for the perfect restaurant with a wine from their favorite region. They speak to waiters in what little Italian they remember from the travel phrasebook they purchased at the airport. In the summer, fronts of shops open and tourists take it all in, even eavesdropping on the older generation arguing over a soccer match in their native dialect. They realize that this experience is a uniquely Boston one, and they will tell these stories forever. Unfortunately, the area has changed significantly but, hopefully, it can hold on to its Italian identity. The once isolated community is now connected with Downtown Boston because the elevated expressway that separated it has been put underground, but, again hopefully, this will not lead to its demise. It is up to the current population to maintain the cultural identity of the North End. In 2012, one-third of the approximately 10,000 inhabitants were Italian or Italian-Americans.

Aside from the North End, Massachusetts is home to many Italian organizations. The Order of the Sons of Italy has many chapters throughout the Commonwealth. The Dante Alighieri Society has been active in Cambridge or Boston since 1911. The Dante serves as a place where people can come to learn Italian culture, history, and language and attend many cultural events.

Students in some parts of Massachusetts can study Italian starting in elementary school. Italy is the second most popular country for study abroad among college students in the United States.

The Boston area has an extremely rich immigrant history, and as Italian-Americans we can be proud that our relatives were essential in creating that history. Many left all they knew and all that was familiar to cross the Atlantic, departed New York after being processed at Ellis Island, and found a family member or friend who was already living in Massachusetts. It is imperative that the new generations do not forget their roots and keep the memory of those that left their home countries alive. If you have ever wanted to learn the language or study the history or literature of Italy, then do so now in one of the institutions that teach them in the Boston area and fulfill your goal.