1905

June 22 – OSDIA founded as “Figli d’Italia” at 203 Grand Street in New York City at the office and residence of Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro. (Later renamed “L’Ordine Figli d’Italia in America.”) A week later, Dr. Sellaro is elected first “Supreme Venerable” or president.

1906

OSDIA has eight lodges in New York and one in New Jersey.

1911

Grand Lodge of New York becomes first state chapter; puts a representative on Ellis Island to help new Italian immigrants.

1913

OSDIA encourages members to join unions and support labor protests such as the Paterson textile workers strike in New Jersey.

1914

OSDIA holds first convention in Paterson, N.J. Beginning in 1917 in Cleveland, OSDIA begins holding conventions every two years.

1915

OSDIA publishes the weekly Bollettino Ufficiale. In 1946 the Bollettino is replaced with OSDIA News, a monthly newspaper. In 1996, the newspaper is replaced with Italian America, a full-color quarterly magazine free to all members.

1917

President Woodrow Wilson receives OSDIA leaders at the White House. Since then, every U.S. president has publicly acknowledged the contributions of OSDIA, including Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

1918

An estimated 28,000 OSDIA members serve in the U.S. armed forces during World War I. Of these 1,278 are wounded and 975 killed. OSDIA gives subsidies to servicemen’s families.

OSDIA lodges contribute $2 million and 3.5 million lire for war victims, Liberty Loans (war bonds), the Red Cross and post-war loans to Italian government.

OSDIA establishes free English language and citizenship classes for members.

1919

OSDIA takes over administration of Antonio Meucci’s home on Staten Island, N.Y. In 1956, OSDIA turns Meucci home into the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, a center for Italian culture and language learning. Today it is one of only two 2 ethnic museums in the U.S. with landmark status. [Ed. Note: the actual date of the OSDIA takeover is disputed. It might have been in 1913 or 1914.]

1930

OSDIA membership peaks at 350,000 in more than 1,000 lodges coast to coast.

1931

Louise Porreca becomes first woman to serve on Supreme Council when she is elected a Supreme trustee.

1932

OSDIA founder, Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro dies on November 28 of diabetes and heart disease at age 64.

OSDIA enrolls 1,500 young Italian Americans in 12 youth lodges during a mass meeting in New York City. Eventually 366 youth lodges were created, 132 of them in Massachusetts.