This month we celebrate the birthdays of many notable Italians and Italian Americans. Umberto Eco (Jan. 5, 1932 – Feb. 19, 2016) was an Italian novelist, literary critic, philosopher, semiotician, and university professor born in the Piedmont region. He is best known internationally for his 1980 novel “Il nome della rosa” (The Name of the Rose). Louis Zamperini (Jan. 26, 1917 – July 2, 2014) was an American WWII veteran and an Olympic distance runner best known for being a Japanese prisoner of war survivor. His parents were native to Verona. His life was chronicled in three films: “Unbroken,” “Captured by Grace” and “Unbroken: Path to Redemption.” Italian-born professional footballer Gianluigi Buffon is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. The Paris Saint-Germain player celebrates his birthday on January 28.

• Gianluigi Buffon (January... Gianluigi Buffon (January...
• Umberto Eco (Jan.... Umberto Eco (Jan....
• Louis Zamperini (Jan.... Louis Zamperini (Jan....
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