The Order was founded on June 22, 1905 in New York City by five Italian compatriots led by Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro. As it evolved it came to serve three purposes:
1) to promote and perpetuate Italian culture, history, and language
2) to raise money and support humanitarian charities, Cooleys Anemia, Alzheimers, Cancer Research, and Autism
3) to fight against discrimination, bias, and bigotry of Italians and Italian Americans through education and public relations, and in tandem promote a positive image of said people under the auspices of the Commission for Social Justice (CSJ).