The year was 1931, the country was in the worst economic depression of its 155 years. The great immigration was over, but many Italians still struggled and strove to make the lives of their families better. Those that had jobs worked hard for little pay and, if they felt fortune if they were able to work long hours. Italian Americans – often first generation citizens, grew vegetables where ever they could, even in the cities, any spare plot of land was put to use to raise vegetables. It was in this environment that The Italian Tribune began, as a small weekly newspaper covering the Italian neighborhood in Newark, NJ.

The Italian Tribune's first issue was published on July 31, 1931. The original owners were John Sileo and Fred Matullo. Within a few years after the papers fledgling beginnings, Italians flet a boost, as New York City elected its first Italian American Mayor – Fiorello La Guardia. He remained mayor up until 1945. Another New Yorker - Vito Marcantonio was first elected to Congress in 1934 and Robert Maestri began his ten year run as mayor of New Orleans in 1936.

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Source: http://www.italiantribune.com/