White House Celebrates Italian Heritage Month

During an Italian American Heritage Month reception at the White House, First Lady Jill Biden expressed her pride in her Italian American heritage, emphasizing the values of inclusion and community taught by her grandparents. She highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for all, particularly women and military families, to have a voice in discussions about their health and well-being. President Biden also issued a proclamation recognizing Columbus Day, linking it to the pride many Italian Americans feel regarding their heritage and contributions to the American Dream. The event comes as the Biden administration prepares for his upcoming trip to Germany and Angola, which was rescheduled due to recent hurricane impacts in Florida. Meanwhile, debates surrounding Columbus' origins continue, with historians affirming his Genoese roots despite competing narratives suggesting other ancestries. The event aims to celebrate the contributions of the Italian American community, which numbers over 26 million in the U.S.