A Little-Known Chapter From 1776

From the Italian Sons and Daughters of America:

Ciro Poppiti, founder of the Delaware Italian American Foundation, has completed a sprawling 80-mile reenactment of Caesar Rodney's historic 1776 journey that sealed American independence.

On July 1, 1776, the Delaware delegation to the Continental Congress was deadlocked on the question of independence. One delegate supported breaking from Great Britain, another opposed it, and the fate of Delaware’s vote hung in the balance.

About 80 miles away in Dover, Caesar Rodney — a Founding Father, lawyer and politician with English and Italian roots — received word of the impasse and set out on a grueling overnight ride to Philadelphia.

Arriving just in time on July 2 to the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall), Rodney cast the tie-breaking vote that delivered Delaware’s support for independence, clearing the way for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and forever securing his place in American history.

The Incredible Story Of Caesar Rodney, Patriot!

The Deciding Vote: Caesar Rodney, a Founding Father With Italian Roots, Delivered the Vote That Declared Independence

On July 2, 1776, Caesar Rodney rode 80 miles overnight from Dover to Philadelphia in a race against time. Arriving as the vote on independence was already underway, he cast the tie-breaking ballot that secured Delaware's support for separation from Great Britain, paving the way for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. (Rodney's monument, pictured above, stood in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, from 1923 until its removal amid civil unrest in June 2020.)

A two-day reenactment will revive the harrowing journey; portraying Caesar Rodney is Ciro Poppiti, founder of the Delaware Italian American Foundation. On July 1, 1776, the Delaware delegation to the Continental Congress was deadlocked on the question of independence. One delegate supported breaking from Great Britain, another opposed it, and the fate of Delaware’s vote hung in the balance. About 80 miles away in Dover, Caesar Rodney — a Founding Father, lawyer and politician with English and Italian roots — received word of the impasse and set out on a grueling overnight ride to Philadelphia. Arriving just in time on July 2, Rodney cast the tie-breaking vote that delivered Delaware’s support for independence, clearing the way for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and forever securing his place in American history. As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, 250Ride.org will bring Rodney’s remarkable journey to life with an immersive two-day reenactment of his historic ride by horse-drawn carriage.

Born in St. Jones Neck in Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, Caesar Rodney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a descendant of the noble Adelmare family from Treviso, Italy.

Portraying Rodney is Ciro Poppiti, founder of the 250 Ride and the Delaware Italian American Foundation, and the unanimous choice to bring Rodney to life. The journey will officially begin on Friday, June 12, with a prayer at Historic Christ Church in Dover, setting the tone for a launch rooted in unity and reflection. From there, the Ride will travel north through Delaware, culminating that evening at Thousand Acre Farm in Middletown, where guests will gather for the 250 Ride Gala.

Declaration of Independence, by John Trumbull (1818), portrays the presentation of the Declaration of Independence to Congress. Rodney was not depicted in the painting.

On Saturday, June 13, the reenactment continues through Historic Old New Castle, joining the annual Separation Day Parade before concluding later that day at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. For more on the story and upcoming events, visit 250Ride.org.

The uprooted Caesar Rodney monument, pictured at the top of the newsletter, was taken out of storage and installed in Washington, D.C.’s Freedom Plaza in April 2026 as part of the nation’s America250 summer celebration. The Delaware Italian American Foundation is a proud member of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO).

Formed in NYC in 1975, the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) — a national coalition of 74 cultural, educational, fraternal and anti-defamation groups — seeks to promote our history and traditions for today’s generations, and tomorrow’s.

JOIN COPOMIAO AND ELEVATE YOUR ITALIAN AMERICAN GROUP TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL. APPLY TODAY

It Happened Quickly, While You Were Distracted!

The liberal Dems in the NJ state legislature were up to their dirty work in the closing days of the legislative session. They pushed these bills through and onto the governor's signature. See below:

 

THE JAZZ AGE: A Dazzling Illustrative Journey!

We recently enjoyed a dazzling retrospective at the Delaware Museum of Art in Wilmington centered around illustrations from The Jazz Age -- the period between the two world wars. 

This show runs through January 26 and is not-to-be-missed. Jazz Age Illustration is the first major exhibition to survey the art of popular illustration in the United States between 1919 and 1942. 

This ambitious project draws from DelArt’s expansive illustration collection, with selective loans, to explore the mass visual culture that emerged at the end of the First World War—a period characterized by cultural vibrancy and dramatic social change. Jazz Age Illustration will include more than 100 works of art and dozens of publications by prominent artists, such as Aaron Douglas, John Held Jr., Neysa McMein, and Frank Schoonover. 

Check out some of our photos from the show, below.

 

While He's Beachside, They Pour Into The Country!

Bidên vacations on the beach while they flood into the country pic.twitter.com/bCygUJsV3L

— drefanzor memes (@drefanzor) August 29, 2024

Philly Voters Elected The Senator From . . .DELAWARE?

BIDEN: "Even when I was running for Senate, each time I ran, quite frankly, not a joke, Philadelphia, in particular, got me across the line.

(Joe was a senator from Delaware)
pic.twitter.com/8daYnSFm9p

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) July 7, 2024

As Iran Attacks Israel, Biden Goes To The Beach

NOT UP FOR THE JOB: Biden is resting at his beach house this weekend (again). He has spent a record 453 days — 39% of his presidency — on vacation. pic.twitter.com/WLiqoRiRFd

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 13, 2024

This Will Tell You A Lot, Right Here!

Classified documents were found...

At the Penn Biden Center? "That's correct."

In President Biden's garage? "Yes."

And in his basement den? "Yes."

And his main floor office? "Correct."

And his third floor den? "Correct."

At the University of Delaware? "Correct."

And at the… pic.twitter.com/5FR8iaVkbN

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 12, 2024

Well, Let's Look At The Record . . .

Biden has held just two public events in the past 19 days:

DEC. 23: Left for vacation at Camp David

DEC. 24: Vacation at Camp David

DEC. 25: Vacation at Camp David

DEC. 26: Returned from vacation at Camp David

DEC. 27: Left for vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands

DEC. 28:… https://t.co/G2eLjqBOM3

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 10, 2024

A Dazzling Collection Of Christmas Trees!

We took these photos earlier today at nearby Winterthur in Delaware. The decorated trees are dazzling.  It's worth a visit!

What DOES He Do There Every Weekend?

The world is in chaos.

Biden is on vacation — again. https://t.co/yi0TCRb2Ov

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 4, 2023

Italian American Heritage Month: Donte DiVincenzo

Donte DiVincenzo

Pro basketball star Donte DiVincenzo earned his chops on the court first at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware where he led the team to two consecutive state championships and then, of course, at Villanova University where he was part of two NCAA championship teams (2016 and 2018) and was named NCAA's Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2018. In the 2018 championship game Villanova defeated Michigan, 79–62. In that game, DiVincenzo scored 31 points for Villanova. DiVincenzo was dubbed the "Big Ragu" by a sportscaster  following his last-second tip in a game on January 29, 2017, which gave Villanova the win against the University of Virginia. 

In 2018 DiVincenzo was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks, the second of four Villanova players drafted that year. Since then DiVincenzo has played for the Sacramento Kings, The Golden State Warriors and is now with the New York Knicks.

Donte's parents are John F. DiVincenzo and Kathie DiVincenzo. Donte reportedly inherited his love of basketball from his father, John.

The father and son would watch basketball together religiously as Donte was growing up.  Donte's ethnicity is Italian through and through, hence "The Big Ragu," nickname Donte wears like a badge of honor.

Ai's Stereotypical NJ, PA, DE Image

Artificial Intelligence was asked to create stereotypical images sugnifying New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Here they are, below. Can you tell which is which?

 

From The Mansion To The Beach To The Mansion . .

I know this question has been asked again and again, but WHO THE HECK IS RUNNING THIS COUNTRY?

After spending almost a WEEK at the beach, so-called “President” Joe Biden is now heading to his Delaware mansion.

Biden has spent 365 DAYS ON VACATION since he took office. That’s… pic.twitter.com/fnC0jsP7Gg

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 4, 2023

While Scandal Sizzles, Joe Simply Summers . . .

 

How Did Biden Buy Those Digs? C'mon, You Know!

The reason why Joe could buy these multi-million dollar mansions is because Hunter got paid to sell the Biden name across the globe.

Going back to my banking days there's no way he's qualifying for the loans to buy a $5M beach house while only making $174K.

These are the facts. pic.twitter.com/xl9o6R17w8

— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) July 31, 2023

UhHuh . . . He's Off To Another Vacation!

Karine Jean-Pierre says Biden is retreating to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for the next ten days pic.twitter.com/lW5JcEVmH1

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 28, 2023

He Can Barely Make It Into The Car!

Q: Have you spoken to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen regarding her trip to China?

BIDEN: "No" pic.twitter.com/lxVpkGF7fn

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 8, 2023

Biden Ar The Beach: OMG! What A Dismal Sight!

A shirtless Joe Biden enjoys a relaxing day at the beach.

Biden has spent 353 days — 39.2% of his presidency — on vacation. pic.twitter.com/1IpnjlNglS

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 8, 2023

WHY Did He Get Involved? YOU Figure It Out . . .

Biden has spent his 50+ year political career doing one thing — lying.

He'll say anything for power.pic.twitter.com/jYBGqf8yVn

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 27, 2023