Oct. 19 – The success of last February’s 500th anniversary of Vespucci’s death, celebrated at Saint John’s University, in New York, has led the Florentines in the World Association to replicate the event within the Columbus Day 2012 celebration. In fact, the Association was able to secure the Room of the Americas of the Organization of American States to honor Vespucci, explorer and star-mapper from Florence. Andrea Claudio Galluzzo, president of the Association, was present alongside Sebastiano Fulci, ambassador, and Francesco Bardazzi, proconsul of the Association in the United States.
The exhibit was opened to the public; and later a statue of Vespucci, work of the American sculptor Gregg Wyatt, under commission of the Italian government for the 500th Vespucci anniversary, was revealed.

AMERIGO VESPUCCI
Born in Florence in March 9 1454, Amerigo was raised in the Medici court, discussing and debating with the enlightened minds of his time.
His interest for geography and cosmography developed in these years, when understanding the planet was first and foremost an economic necessity. During his honorary celebrations in Washington, experts mentioned his recently discovered scientific background, achieved thanks to his uncle Giorgio Antonio in the San Marco Dominican convent in Florence. This explains why he transferred to Seville, where he died on February 22 1512, and wy he took part in the three naval expeditions that would lead him to discover the “New World.”