I'm An American Day 1941 -- Fiorello LaGuardia

Recorded Sound | Digitized | RG Number: RG-91.0058

Overview

Description: On May 18, 1941 at 4:00PM, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia hosted I’m An American Day on the Mall in New York City’s Central Park. The jubilant mayor goes on to introduce COL “Fighting” Phil Donovan to the thousands of citizens gathered in celebration. COL Donovan explains to native-born citizens why they should be proud to be Americans. He points out eating breakfast, assuming public school is competent and free thought as daily activities that are taken for granted. COL Donovan states Americans are privileged to look forward to the future without fear. The decorated veterans warns America is in danger because of the war happening in Europe. He adds modern warfare can happen spiritually. Therefore, Americans need to be prepared mentally and spiritually to do what is necessary. I’m An American Day ends with Rabbi Stephen Wise reading a scripture.
Date: Broadcast: 1941 May 18
Format: WAV

Physical Details

Language: English
Genre/Form: Radio broadcasts.

Rights & Restrictions

Conditions on Access: This archival media can only be accessed in a Museum reading room or other on-campus viewing stations.
Copyright: NBC Universal
Conditions on Use: Contact NBC Universal at www.nbcuniarchives.com for permission to duplicate and use this film or sound recording.

Administrative Notes

Legal Status: In process
Recorded Sound Provenance: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum purchased digital copies of these sound recordings from the Library of Congress in March 2018.
Recorded Sound Notes: More information about Fiorello LaGuardia:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fiorello-H-La-Guardia
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/fiorello-laguardia
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1211.html
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=l000007
https://www.biography.com/people/fiorello-la-guardia-9371430

More information about I’M AN AMERICAN:
https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/historians-mailbox/im-american
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/16/557338355/im-an-american-radio-show-promoted-inclusion-before-world-war-ii

Bio: Fiorello LaGuardia (b. Fiorello Enrico LaGuardia) was born on December 11, 1882 in New York City to Jewish parents. After his father’s death, he and his family moved to his mother’s hometown in Trieste, Italy. A superb linguist, Fiorello earned his first government post in the American consulate in Budapest and Fiume. He returned to the United States in 1906 and began work as a interpreter for the U.S. Immigration Service. Fiorello was admitted to the bar in 1910 after graduating from New York University. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1916, but his term was interrupted when he served as a pilot during WW. He returned to Congress opposing prohibition and supporting child-labour laws. LaGuardia was elected the mayor of New York in 1933. LaGuardia was one of Hitler’s most outspoken opponents. He earned a national reputation as an honest and nonpartisan reformer dedicated to civic improvement. He became known as “The Little Flower” in token of his first name and his colorful personality.
Recorded Sound Source: Library of Congress - Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS)

Record last modified:: 2024-02-21 07:27:10
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn621006

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Also in "I'm An American" NBC radio broadcasts

I’M AN AMERICAN premiered in 1940 on the eve of WWII. The NBC radio broadcast was spearheaded by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the U.S. Department of Labor to foster a “deeper consciousness of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship and more tolerance for fellow american of all birthplaces”. The weekly program featured distinguished foreign-born citizens discussing their naturalization process, the meaning of “democracy” and reminding all Americans of the value/privilege of U.S. citizenship. Sound recordings of I’M AN AMERICAN are available from the NBC Radio Collection in the Library of Congress.

Date: 1940-1944

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I'm An American Day 1941 -- Fiorello LaGuardia

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