Our history began in Rome, Italy, in 1889 when some of the most distinguished Italian literary figures of the 19^th century founded the first Dante Alighieri Society to perpetuate the accomplishments of Dante Alighieri and his sense of Italian style.

Dante's writing style during his lifetime, 1265-1321, initiated the written form of the Florentine dialect. It rapidly became the norm for written communication, which ultimately aided the unification of the divided and troubled city-states into the modern nation of Italy. In fact, many scholars consider his masterpiece, "La Divina Commedia" (The Divine Comedy"), the most eloquent summary of moral, religious and political thought of the Middle Ages. Soon after the original chapter of the Society was formed in Rome, others began to spring up in all parts of the world where Italian communities were growing. The common non-political goal of these chapters is to promote the understanding and appreciation of Italy's contributions to civilization from medieval times to the present. There are nearly 500 chapters worldwide at the present time. In the United States, affiliates are active in metropolitan areas in several States.

The purpose of the Society is to promote the knowledge of Italian culture through the encouragement of study in the Arts, Sciences, Literature, History, Traditions and Language of Italy.

Membership is open to all persons who support the goals of the Society, apply for membership and pay annual dues.

1. Regular Membership: $ 25.00
2. Student Membership: $ 15.00

Regular and Student Members have the right and obligation to vote, pay dues and hold office. The minimum voting age is eighteen (18) and the minimum age to hold office is twenty-one (21) years of age.

La Società Dante Alighieri, fondata in Roma nel 1889, diffonde la lingua e la cultura italiane nel mondo, fra tutti gli stranieri che guardano con affetto e si interessano ai valori antichi e nuovi della nostra civiltà, e tra le collettività dei lavoratori italiani all'estero, che desiderano mantenere vivi i legami con la madre patria. Possono far parte della "Dante Alighieri" tutte le persone - indipendentemente da ogni nazionalità, confessione religiosa o politica - che accettano il suo Statuto e partecipano all'opera civile e pacifica svolta dalla Società nel mondo.