JANUARY 2026
American Heroes of the Month
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was an American civil rights leader who used nonviolent activism to fight racial injustice and promote equality, justice, and peace for all.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the United States, known for his roles as a statesman, inventor, writer, and diplomat who helped shape American democracy and scientific progress.
American Corner Events
January 13 | 10:00 – Documentary: In Remembrance of Martin
Find more documentaries and books about Dr. King go to eLibraryUSA.
Watch Benjamin Franklin: An American on Kanopy
OCTOBER 2025
Library Month and Thomas Jefferson
US Lending Libraries and Thomas Jefferson
The idea of the public lending library has deep roots in the United States, shaped by a culture that values both education and civic participation. Unlike private collections, lending libraries were created so that ordinary citizens could borrow books and return them, ensuring access to knowledge regardless of personal wealth. This principle became a cornerstone of American democracy, linking literacy with citizenship.
Thomas Jefferson: Book Collector and Visionary
Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, was a passionate book collector. His library at Monticello grew to thousands of volumes, covering subjects ranging from law and philosophy to science and agriculture.
When the original Library of Congress was destroyed in the War of 1812, Jefferson offered to sell his personal collection to Congress. In 1815, his 6,487 books became the foundation of the rebuilt Library of Congress, reflecting Jefferson’s belief that a truly informed citizenry was essential for a free republic. His vision went beyond ownership: books were not meant to be hoarded, but shared as a resource for the nation.
Learn more about Thomas Jefferson on the Kanopy Documentary:
Thomas Jefferson – Monument Man. 44 min.
October 14, 2025, 11 am at American Corner Trieste
or from the comfort of your home with your eLibraryUSA account.
American Corner Trieste Library
Carrying on this spirit of access to knowledge, the American Corner Trieste Library is a dynamic cultural hub in the heart of Trieste, Italy. Part of the worldwide American Spaces network, it offers free access to an English-language collection, including literature, history, biographies, Children’s Corner and Teen Corner and resources on American culture and society. We also have magazines, dvds and free wifi and internet access.
The library is more than a place to borrow books. It hosts talks, film screenings, exhibitions, and programs for students and the public. Just as Jefferson saw books as tools to strengthen democracy, the American Corner Trieste Library fosters dialogue, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning between the United States and Italy.
eLibraryUSA: Your Virtual Library
In addition to its physical collection, the American Corner Trieste, through the Office of American Spaces, also provides free registration to eLibraryUSA, a virtual library accessible anywhere with an internet connection. Members can enjoy a wide range of resources, including:
- Magazines and newspapers with up-to-date international coverage
- Books and academic publications across diverse subjects
- Documentaries and films on Kanopy that inform and inspire
- KidsFlix, a collection of engaging children’s content
This digital access extends Jefferson’s vision into the 21st century, ensuring that knowledge and learning remain within reach for all.
SEPTEMBER 2025
🇺🇸✨ U.S. Constitution Day – September 17! ✨📜
Did you know that on September 17, 1787, a group of 39 delegates gathered in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall to sign one of the most important documents in history — the U.S. Constitution? 🖋️🏛️
Often called the world’s oldest written national constitution still in use, it was crafted with brilliant ideas (many from James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” 👓) and set the foundation for American democracy:
⚖️ Separation of powers
🗳️ Government by the people
🛡️ Protection of individual rights
The Constitution was ratified in 1788 and went into effect in 1789, shaping the United States into “a more perfect Union.” 🌟
📍 Want to see the original? It’s proudly on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. alongside the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
💡 Why does it still matter today? Because it protects freedoms, ensures no branch of government has too much power, and continues to inspire democratic values worldwide. 🌍✨
📖 👉 Celebrate with us! Stop by American Corner Trieste to pick up or download your free transcript copy of the U.S. Constitution and carry a piece of history with you.
🎉 Happy Constitution Day! 🎉
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Join us on Wednesday September 17th at 11 am to watch the documentary: George Washington – Monument Man. 44 min. from Kanopy – eLibraryUSA.
Learn more about the events planned in the USA leading up to the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, to be celebrated on July 4, 2026. More news at Freedom250.