Summary: Italian food became American food in the 1950's. Older Americans can remember a time when many Americans didn't know what spaghetti and meatballs were. It's hard to imagine now. Food can be a great conversation starter.
For decades, immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia had been living in somewhat isolated communities, like these Italian American women in Boston’s North End.
Maurice Hilleman was a scientist. He studied microbiology, single cell organisms that cause infectious diseases, like COVID. He also created vaccines to protect children. Use this story to talk about disease and ways that we protect ourselves from disease, including hand washing, wearing masks, social distancing and getting vaccinated.