Commission for Social Justice, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America

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The Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ) is the anti-defamation arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America® (OSIA), the biggest and oldest national organization for men and women of Italian descent in the United States.

Today, we recognize , a holiday with deep historical significance for Italian Americans and a celebration of the contri...
10/12/2026

Today, we recognize , a holiday with deep historical significance for Italian Americans and a celebration of the contributions, perseverance, and heritage of the Italian American community. 🇮🇹 🇺🇸

The origins of Columbus Day in the United States extend beyond commemorating Christopher Columbus’ 1492 voyage. In the late 19th century, Italian immigrants faced widespread discrimination and sought recognition for their place in American society. Following the tragic 1891 lynching of 11 Italian Americans in New Orleans, Columbus Day became a way to honor Italian heritage and celebrate the contributions of Italian Americans to the nation they helped build.

Over time, Italian American communities across the country embraced the holiday through parades, cultural events, and civic celebrations. In 1934, Congress formally recognized Columbus Day, and in 1971 it became a federal holiday observed on the second Monday of October.

Today, Columbus Day remains an opportunity to reflect on the history of Italian Americans, celebrate the enduring connections between Italy and the United States, and honor the generations whose hard work, courage, and dedication helped shape our nation.

Click the link below to read an official Columbus Day message from OSDIA National President Thomas A. Lupo, and Commission for Social Justice President John A. Fratta.

🔗: https://shorturl.at/rfKdt

10/01/2026

Happy Italian American Heritage Month! 🇺🇸🇮🇹

Today marks the beginning of a month dedicated to celebrating the rich history, vibrant culture, and lasting contributions of Italian Americans across the United States.

From pioneering achievements in science, medicine, business, education, public service, and the arts to the traditions of family, faith, and community, Italian Americans have helped shape our nation's story. Our heritage is a story of courage, perseverance, resilience, and achievement, a story built by generations who came before us and carried forward by those who continue to make their mark today.

Throughout the month, we'll be highlighting remarkable individuals, historic milestones, cultural traditions, and the enduring impact of the Italian American community.

Join us as we celebrate the heritage, resilience, and accomplishments that continue to inspire future generations.

Spotlight: Filippo Mazzei 🇺🇸Long before the American Revolution, Italian physician, merchant, and political thinker Fi...
09/21/2026

Spotlight: Filippo Mazzei 🇺🇸

Long before the American Revolution, Italian physician, merchant, and political thinker Filippo Mazzei (1730–1816) became a passionate supporter of the colonies' fight for independence. After settling in Virginia, he developed a close friendship with Thomas Jefferson, exchanging ideas about liberty, self-government, and the natural rights of all people.

In 1774, Mazzei wrote that "all men are by nature equally free and independent," a principle that closely mirrors the ideals later expressed in the Declaration of Independence. To this day, Mazzei’s writings are widely considered by historians to have played an important role in the intellectual movement that shaped America’s founding.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we honor Filippo Mazzei and the enduring contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans to the story of the United States.

Spotlight: Luigi Palma di Cesnola 🇺🇸Today, we honor Luigi Palma di Cesnola (1832–1904)—an Italian patriot whose remark...
09/12/2026

Spotlight: Luigi Palma di Cesnola 🇺🇸

Today, we honor Luigi Palma di Cesnola (1832–1904)—an Italian patriot whose remarkable journey left a lasting mark on American history.

After immigrating to the United States, Cesnola served with distinction as a Union officer during the Civil War, earning the Medal of Honor for extraordinary bravery at the Battle of Aldie in 1863. He later became the first director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, helping transform the young institution into one of the world's premier museums.

His life reflects the many ways Italian immigrants helped shape America—not only through military service, but also by enriching our nation's cultural and artistic legacy.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this year, we proudly remember Luigi Palma di Cesnola and the generations of Italian Americans whose courage, leadership, and vision have strengthened the United States.

08/19/2026

This Italian American helped make Snow White possible!

Spotlight – Celebrating the Birth of Jazz 🎷Born in New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century, jazz emerged from a vi...
08/13/2026

Spotlight – Celebrating the Birth of Jazz 🎷

Born in New Orleans at the turn of the 20th century, jazz emerged from a vibrant meeting of cultures, traditions, and musical styles. African American musicians were central to its creation, blending blues, ragtime, spirituals, and improvisation into a revolutionary new sound.

Italian American musicians also helped shape jazz’s early development and carry it to audiences across America and around the world.

In New Orleans, the Original Dixieland Jass Band — comprised of five musicians, with several from the city's Italian American community — recorded the first ever jazz record in 1917, "Livery Stable Blues." The record's runaway popularity introduced the sound of jazz to listeners far beyond New Orleans and helped launch its spread across the country.

A generation later, the Philadelphia-born duo of guitarist Eddie Lang and violinist Joe Venuti, two childhood friends from the city's Italian American enclave, redefined what their instruments could do in jazz. Featured in this photo is Lang, born Salvatore Massaro to Italian immigrant parents. Together, the two recorded landmark sessions in the late 1920s that influenced generations of musicians who followed.

Today, jazz stands as one of America’s greatest cultural contributions—a lasting expression of creativity, collaboration, and shared heritage. 🇺🇸🇮🇹🎶

08/03/2026

5 Italian Americans who helped shape the United States! 🇺🇸🇮🇹

Fifty years ago, OSDIA helped create the Italian American Congressional Delegation. This past month, we celebrated its b...
07/24/2026

Fifty years ago, OSDIA helped create the Italian American Congressional Delegation. This past month, we celebrated its bipartisan strength firsthand. 🇺🇸 🇮🇹

On July 15, the Commission for Social Justice, OSDIA’s anti-defamation and positive image arm, welcomed members of the Italian American Congressional Delegation to the OSDIA National Office for "Pillars of the Republic," an event honoring the United States' 250th anniversary. The event was organized by the OSDIA Government Relations Committee, and gathered leaders such as Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), and Rep. Thomas Suozzi (NY-3), among other distinguished guests.

Five days later, OSDIA Government Relations Committee Chair Mike D'Amore and the committee's staff liaison Mia Galasso joined Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-6) at a summer reception for the Republican Italian American Delegation on Capitol Hill.
Reflecting on both events, D’Amore said that “some of our members are Democrats, some are Republicans, but they are all united by their love of the Italian American culture, and deserve to know that OSDIA is working on the relationships needed to properly steward that culture for another 250 years."

Click here to learn more about the event: https://vist.ly/5cegj

An Update from the CSJ ⚖️ 🇮🇹 Since becoming President of the Commission for Social Justice last fall, John A. Fratta has...
07/17/2026

An Update from the CSJ ⚖️ 🇮🇹

Since becoming President of the Commission for Social Justice last fall, John A. Fratta has worked diligently to advocate on behalf of the Italian American community.

Over the past several months, President Fratta has corresponded with public officials, institutional leaders, and community partners, issuing letters of support for positive developments, and raising concerns on issues that negatively impact the Italian American community.

"As the anti-defamation and positive image arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA), the CSJ exists to ensure that the voices, dignity, and contributions of Italian Americans are heard, respected, and protected at every level of public life," said Fratta in an email update late last month, adding that "Over the past several months, I put that belief into action."

To read the full message from President Fratta released late last month, and to read more about each of the listed updates, visit https://conta.cc/3QzMhU0

Little Italy is Back on the NYC Immigrant Enclaves Map 🇮🇹 🏙️After backlash from the CSJ and other Italian American organ...
07/10/2026

Little Italy is Back on the NYC Immigrant Enclaves Map 🇮🇹 🏙️

After backlash from the CSJ and other Italian American organizations due to the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affair's exclusion of Little Italy on the recently released "Immigrant Enclaves" Map, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has responded to ensure that Little Italy will be added to the map. The CSJ applauds this decision, while calling on the city to recognize all historic Italian American communities.

"We are grateful that Mayor Mamdani and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs listened to the concerns of the Italian American community and corrected the omission of Little Italy from the Immigrant Enclaves map," said CSJ President John A. Fratta. "However, we remain disappointed that this correction came only after significant pushback and that other historic and thriving Italian American communities continue to be excluded from the map," he added.

The CSJ remains committed to advocating for accurate representation of Italian American history, culture, and contributions, and will continue working with community organizations and government leaders to promote a more complete and inclusive understanding of New York City’s diverse immigrant communities.

Read more: https://csj.osdia.org/csj-applauds-inclusion-of-little-italy-on-nyc-immigrant-enclaves-map-calls-for-recognition-of-all-historic-italian-american-communities/

Address

219 E Street NE
Washington D.C., DC
20002

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

(202) 547-2900

Website

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