Bicentennial

July 4, 1776. The day those ‘medicans’ signed the declaration of Independence and brought forth ta dis continent a new nation….

My family was in the Abruzzo and Campania at that time, but dreaming of America. South Philly was here in 1776, well some what. Do you think Tommy Jefferson and Johnny Adams went to Marra’s on Passyuink avenue and discussed breaking ties with Great Britain over a Pizza with Alligge (Dialect for Anchovy) … Did Bennie Frankie take the delegates for a Cheese stake at Genos, he could of cause they all spoke English, of course not sure the Vento family (owners of Geno’s) were speaking much English in 1776…

July 4, 1976. The bicentennial , the great celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of that revolutionary act.

1976, the blossom of the Disco age, which I always felt was like Swing revisited. We led a modern version of the lives of our parents. They swung with sharp clothes to the Big Bands. Our generation danced to upbeat music not so dissimilar from Swing, with suits and ties to match, mine custom made by Rocco Tarrelli on Broad Street. In 1976 the great clubs were Her Place and the Branch in South Jersey and the Library in Philly. Or was the Branch in Philly and the Library in Jersey?

I along with many others graduated from John Neumann High School that June. I remember that graduation from Neumann- the black and orange gowns ( why did Neumann pick Halloween colors?). Cardinal Krol pronouncing Neumann correctly. (Noy-mann not New-mann) , but to us this pronunciation was reminiscent of Curly in the 3 stooges- hey Noy-mann… I also remember the Graduation lunch with my friends and their families at the Monk’s Inn on Front street. Also my graduation party with pots of Roast Pork , baked ziti, Ricotta cream cakes and galleons of something red from California - we had at least 120 people in that 600 Sq foot area that comprised our first floor and back yard. I sported a great new suit made by Rocco Tarrelli and I took in like $550 is cash!

My generation of baby boomers was a hybrid between our inward thinking parents and our outward thinking children. We still had a sense of ethic and neighborhood identity, as well as ethnic sounding names. Unlike the youth in SP today that may be named Ashley or Tiffany Ann. Ashley Nunnziato - what an incongruity of nomenclature… But such is the curse of assimilation.

After graduation was senior week, which for us was spent , Dinah Shore. Well down the Shore- but SP pronunciation was always somewhat reminisce of this great songstress. Ohh I’m gon dinah shore…

Yes Wildwood June 1976 what a grand time we had. I had my first real taste of youth and freedom. I went with my friends the Gatto twins and Tom D’Acchille and a group of girls. I remember a rather strong fondness for Southern Comfort that week, even to the point that we added it as a secret ingredient to our macaroni gravy. Yes Italo American teens cooked, at least we did in my day.

But the real event of that summer was the Bicentennial. Philadelphia Mayor Frank (I know wats good for da people of dis city) Rizzo , Governor Shapp (remember him.. few do) , and President Gerald Ford at the Liberty Bell. I also remember visits by the king of Sweden Karl Gustaf pick a number as well as HRH Queen Elizabeth II. There was also the Eucharistic Congress at the Spectrum attended by a Polish cardinal named Karol Wojtyła.

South Philly took the Bicentennial seriously, wall and pavement paintings were created- some survived into the early 90’s. Many streets hung lights and banners, most houses had flags. I remember my dear friend Robert Giangordano hanging bunting between the houses on the 1000 block of Cross street, he did so like to decorate. There was the vast assortment of mementos being sold at the twin Shoppe, little liberty bells, commemorative plates, pewter objects, interesting additions to South Philly Kitsch. There was even some kind of carnival set up in the old prison lot. Annunciation Church had special Masses and Monsignor Di Giacomo extolled the virtues of American democracy as well as Mary our men-tor in heaven. It was a little Christmas in July, we even had a summer mini mummer’s parade. There were also the many barbeques in our postage stamp back yards, how ever did we fit so many people in that space??

July 4, 2006 Now American celebrates 230 years and you know what, Philadelphia with its Tammany Hall politicians, English only signs, and insular neighborhoods is still the cradle of our democracy, the Roma and Athens of America, and still the best place to be for the 4th of July.