Manhattan, New York. Italian-American watching parade on Mott and Bleeker Streets with flag raising ceremony in honor of boys from the neighborhood in the United States Army.

During World War II, many Italian Americans served in the military or worked in war-related industries, and many also experienced discrimination due to their ancestry and cultural background. At the same time, the post-war years brought new opportunities and challenges, as the Italian American community adjusted to a rapidly changing world.

Despite these challenges, the Italian American community in New York City remained vibrant and active throughout the 1940s. Italian Americans continued to celebrate their cultural heritage, organize social and cultural events, and support each other through community organizations and institutions. The neighborhood of Little Italy remained a hub of Italian American life, with a thriving street life, social clubs, and traditional Italian restaurants and bakeries.

Mott Street Now and Then