Forging the United States: The Italian Legacy in the Early-American Republic

Professor Luca Zipoli presents "Forging the United States: The Italian Legacy in the Early-American Republic," a public lecture at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. The talk was the keynote speech of the congress “Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of American Independence: The Italian Influence and Legacy" organized by the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The lecture was free and open to everyone. 00:00-01:30 Opening remarks (Cav. Gilda Battaglia Rorro Baldassarri, Ed.D., Chair Emerita, New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission, Honorary Vice Consul for Italy in Trenton, Emerita) 01:30-06:58 Introduction (Luca Zipoli, Bryn Mawr College) 06:58-19:19 Books and Ideas 19:19-24:17 Music 24:17-30:38 Architecture 30:38-35:03 Sculpture 35:03-39:06 Painting 39:06-39:37 Conclusion 39:37-40:11 Closing remarks (Margaret Fontana, Executive Director, New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission) The event was hosted by Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ Saturday, October 24, 2026 • 9:40 am-10:30 am College Avenue Student Center The video is by Michael Marsdale (Strange Dream Films). Abstract: The talk investigates the impact and legacy that Italian arts, architecture, music, philosophy, and political thought exerted on the early American Republic. In the early years of the United States—at a time when the Italian peninsula had yet to become a unified nation—the two countries enjoyed rich and lively cultural exchanges. The Founders deeply engaged with Italian history and thought — Washington studied Roman military history, Adams admired Machiavelli, Jefferson drew from Palladio and had a longtime friendship with Mazzei, and Franklin corresponded with Italian scholars and scientists. By analyzing some preeminent case studies of this fascinating history, the talk highlights the role that Italian culture played in the development of the nation, showing how places, arts, identities that today are perceived as 'American' have in most cases a transnational history to tell. Captioned and translated by Luca Zipoli. More info: https://www.njitalianheritage.org/sav...