New York's Little Italy through the years

Little Italy, 1990
Francis Ford Coppola enjoys an Italian ice during the filming of Italian-American all-time classic "The Godfather: Part III" in 1990.

Little Italy, 1943
Italians in Little Italy celebrate the ousting of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in 1943.

Little Italy, 1990
Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky go out to dinner on Mulberry St. in 1990.

Little Italy, 1943
Italians in Little Italy applaud the ousting of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in 1943.

Little Italy, 1943
Italians in Little Italy proudly fly the American flag from the fire escape of 179 Mulberry St. to celebrate the ousting of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in 1943.

Little Italy, 1943
Italians in the community celebrate the ousting of Fascist dictator Mussolini in 1943.

Little Italy, 1998
A woman has a bird's eye view as she watches the Saint Gandolfo Street Fair from her window on Mulberry St. in 1998.

Little Italy, 1990
John Gotti, the "Teflon Don," is all smiles after he was acquitted on charges of conspiracy and assault in the 1986 shooting of a carpenter's union official. Gotti and his driver arrive at the Ravenite Social Club on Mulberry St. in Feb 1990.

Little Italy, 1989
Marlon Brando films "The Freshman" in Little Italy in 1989.

Little Italy, 1980
President Ronald Reagan addresses the crowd in Little Italy on March 15, 1980.

Little Italy, 1973
Ella Spota, a community activist in Little Italy, chats with women on Spring Street in 1973.

Little Italy, 1972
At the scene of a murder, cops and onlookers gather outside Umberto's Clam House on Mulberry St. where gangster "Crazy" Joe Gallo was gunned down on April 8, 1972.

Little Italy, 1969
Famous for their pizza, a group of revelers tuck into a slice during the 1969 San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy.

Little Italy, 1967
Throngs pour through lighted archways on Mulberry St. at the opening of the San Gennaro Festival in 1967.

Little Italy, 1965
Little Italy was once a vibrant immigrant community, but a lot has changed for the historic downtown neighborhood that used to represent a different Italian region on every block. The area is steeped in rich tradition and history. With the annual Feast of San Gennaro street party in full swing, take a look back at Little Italy through the ages ... Carol Bartone, the 1965 Queen of the San Gennaro Festival, is joined by Queens District Attorney Frank D. O'Connor, Judge Mario Procaccino and Council President Paul Screvane.

Little Italy, 1964
A Little Italy view! Here is an image of Broome St. looking east from Mulberry St. in 1964.

Little Italy, 1962
San Gennaro Queen Marie D'Agostino is surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting and princesses aboard a parade float that opened the festival in 1962.

Little Italy, 1959
Carmine DeSapio and Assemblyman Louis DeSalvio get food at a clam bar during Little Italy's annual Feast of San Gennaro in 1959.

Little Italy, 1954
Dignitaries of the 1954 Feast of San Gennaro clear the path for Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida as she arrives at Mulberry St. in the heart of Little Italy to take part in the festivities.

Little Italy, 1952
The 26th anniversary of the Feast of San Gennaro, an annual 11-day religious festival in Little Italy featuring parades, food and music, is observed with merry-making on Mulberry St in 1951. In attendance are Deputy Fire Chief Leopold Rossi, Postmaster George Bragalini and Fire Chief Peter Loftus.

Little Italy, 1951
Signs in Italian and English direct pedestrians at Sixth Avenue and Bleecker St. in 1951.

Little Italy, 1944
"Mayor of Mulberry Street" Angelo Rizzo, along with two youngsters, admire the "Americans In Rome" sign on the window of his undertaking establishment. The painted words informed the Little Italy community that U.S. troops entered Rome in 1944.

Little Italy, 1943
Drinks are on the house as Mike Coppola, owner of Chappie Bar and Grill on Mulberry St., takes a swig from a gallon jug while patrons raise a toast to celebrate the Allied invasion of Italy in 1943.

Little Italy, 1998
Nearly a century ago, the iconic Rossi E & Co restaurant on Grand St. in New York's Little Italy was a hotspot for Italian immigrants. Still standing, the restaurant is pictured here in 1998.

Little Italy, 2008
Members of the Red Mike Band put on a jolly show during the Feast of San Gennaro in 2008 on Mulberry St. The band is named after trumpeteer "Red" Mike Acampora, who started the band in 1945 playing traditional Italian songs.

Little Italy, 2003
Pedestrians crowd Mulberry Street on the first night of the Feast of San Gennaro on Sept. 11, 2003.

Little Italy, 2006
Soccer fans Delfina Arenas and Nick Desolino celebrate Italy's victory in the World Club at the intersection of Grand and Mulberry Sts. on July 9, 2006.

Little Italy, 2003
Little Italy's first annual Pasta Eating Competition took place on June 5, 2003 in front of 133 Mulberry Street. Representatives from 10 local restaurants sponsored the contest that raised money for two local parishes -- Most Precious Blood Church and the Old St. Thomas.

Little Italy, 2010
Gaspar, a waiter who has worked for 35 years at Angelo of Mulberry Street restaurant in Little Italy, carries plates of traditional Italian cuisine in 2010.