#19. ”IO TI SALUTO!”

#19. ”IO TI SALUTO!” 

Pasquale marches into Washington Square Park every morning, stands at attention before the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, salutes and proclaims: “Io ti saluto!” (I salute you!) Every morning. Of course, he did this around 1900 so you’ll have to take my word for it. Today, Pasquale would have to watch his back because he’d be standing in prime skateboarding territory. 

Pasquale’s story reflects how Italian immigrants felt about Garibaldi, even 20 years after his death. Garibaldi was an Italian general who helped unify Italy, and his bronze sculpture was the first in the Park. Why? Because thousands of Italian immigrants lived in neighborhoods south of the Park. When he died, they led fundraising and commissioned a sculptor who had been a soldier under Garibaldi. Thousands gathered for its unveiling in 1888, including the mayor of New York who accepted the statue as a gift to the city. 

Footnote to American history: Garibaldi was so respected as a general that Abraham Lincoln offered him the command of a Union Army. He said, "No."