Frank Capra. Francis Ford Coppola of course. Fellini, Scorsese. There's tons. And why, in only that, movies?

Touch on any major advancement made by mankind through the ages;; medicine, food, government, land development, the "arts," etc., etc., etc., Italy (and all Italians by proxy) share in that rich history.

I would think and hope that ALL peoples of the world would be proud of their heritage. I know that as an Italian, I'm fiercely proud and admittedly defensive for my tribe. As it should be, no?