Italian Historical Society of America
John N. LaCorte Commemorative Sculpture
John N. LaCorte Memorial - Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
John N. LaCorte Memorial - Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
Inspiration for John N. LaCorte Monument and Commemorative Garden
Dedicated October 27, 2004
John Paul Jones Park, Brooklyn, New York
During a time when prejudice against Italians was common, John N. LaCorte had the vision and the perseverance to bring to life an organization dedicated to celebrating the significant contributions that Italians have made to Western civilization.
Born in New Jersey on July 5, 1910, of Italian immigrants, John N. LaCorte was raised in Italy because his parents decided to return to their native country. He returned to America on July 4, 1929, just a few months before the great economic collapse, to register for the draft and claim his cherished American legacy. He began supporting himself by selling pencils on street corners, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaners, eventually becoming a New York Life Insurance Company salesman.
Picture Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
The Verrazano medallion, the work of artist Albino Manca (1898-1976) The artwork was originally commissioned to commemorate the 1964 dedication of the Verrazano-narrows bridge, vandalized, and lost for many years, the restored medallion has been incorporated into this commemorative garden.
Throughout this time, John N. LaCorte was struck by the abuse and vilification of his fellow Italian-Americans. The significant contributions that Italians have made through the centuries were overshadowed by prejudice and hatred. He vowed to bring new awareness to the American people. Through his charisma, he assembled three hundred people at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in April 1949 to inaugurate the Italian Historical Society of America, whose mission is to perpetuate the names of those of Italian heritage who have contributed to the advancement of humankind.
The Society went on to bring to public awareness the contributions of Italians and Italian-Americans, contemporary and historical: Antonio Meucci, the original inventor of the telephone; Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the radio; Charles J. Bonaparte, founder of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to name a few. Among these was a Florentine Explorer, Giovanni da Verrazzano, who, in 1524, was the first European to sail through these narrows, going on to discover what is today named the Hudson River, some 85 years before Henry Hudson's arrival.
The efforts of John N. LaCorte ensured that the magnificent bridge, which was opened in 1964 and whose majestic arching span can be seen from this site, was named after this great explorer who, up to that time, had been virtually forgotten. The maxim of the Christophers inspired John N. LaCorte: Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness. In the name of the Verrazzano Bridge, a light illuminates all of New York.
Visit Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation: The John N. LaCorte Memorial and Commemorative Garden
BETTER TO LIGHT A CANDLE THAN TO CURSE THE DARKNESS
The LaCorte Commemorative Garden honors the legacy of Italian-American John N. LaCorte (1910-1991), born in New Jersey to Italian immigrants. During the early 1900s, the great contributions made by Italians were overshadowed by prejudice and hatred. John LaCorte recognized this and vowed to bring a new awareness of the positive contributions of Italians and Italian-Americans. His efforts led to the creation of the Italian Historical Society of America (1949), whose mission is to perpetuate the names of those of Italian heritage who have contributed to the advancement of humankind.
The Society brought to public awareness the contributions of many Italians and Italian-Americans. Among these was Giovanni da Verrazzano (1480-1528), the first European to sail through these narrows to discover Upper New York Bay and the Hudson River. His discovery in 1524 was 85 years before Henry Hudsons arrival. The direct efforts of John N. LaCorte led to the naming of this magnificent bridge after this great, virtually forgotten Italian explorer. Throughout his life, John N. LaCorte was inspired by the maxim of the Christophers: Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness. The naming of the Verrazzano Bridge is a light that illuminates all of New York.
Picture Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
Verrazzano Monument Now
Picture Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
This garden honors the legacy of Italian-American John N. LaCorte (1910-1991).
Picture Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
John LaCorte championed awareness of the positive achievements of Italians and Italian Americans. His efforts led to the establishment of the Italian Historical Society of America (1949), whose mission is to perpetuate the names of those of Italian heritage who have contributed to the advancement of humankind.
Picture Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
Among these individuals was Giovanni da Verrazano (1480-1528), the first European to sail through these narrows to discover Upper New York Bay and the Hudson River in 1524, eighty-five years prior to Henry Hudson’s arrival. The dedicated effort of John LaCorte led to the naming of this magnificent bridge after the great Italian explorer.
Picture Courtesy New York City Parks Dept
Throughout his life john LaCorte was guided by the principle “Inspiratio per Exemplum”; which became the motto of the Italian Historical Society of America. July 4th, 2003 Brooklyn, New York.
