FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, DC—August 15, 2005) The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is partnering with The History Channel (THC) to offer grand-prize trips to Rome for the sweepstakes promotion of Rome: Engineering An Empire, premiering Monday evening, September 5th at 9:00 p.m./8c.

“The History Channel is delighted to have established a partnership with the National Italian American Foundation for the Rome: Engineering an Empire promotion. This really is a terrific partnership that extends the content of our exciting documentary and makes the past come alive through the trips to Rome so graciously provided by NIAF,” Judy Klein-Frimer, Director of Brand Enhancement, The History Channel, said.

“NIAF is pleased to collaborate with The History Channel to offer these exciting trips to explore the wonders of the ‘Eternal City.’ We also want to thank our partners, the Regina Hotel Baglioni and Italy Italy Magazine, for joining NIAF in sponsoring the prizes,” Dr. A. Kenneth Ciongoli, NIAF chairman, said.

The History Channel sweepstakes includes several grand prizes — six-day/five-night trip for two to Rome where guests will stay at the five-star Regina Hotel Baglioni on Via Veneto courtesy of NIAF. Also included is a special excursion, dinner, and transportation sponsored by Italy Italy Magazine. To register, go to www.history.com/rome.

Rome: Engineering an Empire chronicles the rich history of the Roman Empire, from the reign of Caesar in 44 B.C. to its eventual fall around 537 AD, detailing the remarkable works of architecture and technology that helped create Rome’s indelible mark on the world. Highlights include digital re-creations of some of Rome’s greatest engineering feats, from Caesar’s bridge across the Rhine River to the creation of the Roman Highway, or Via Appia, the world’s first modern highway and the passageway that laid the foundation for Roman expansion.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation dedicated to promoting the contributions of Italian Americans. The Foundation has a wide-range of programs that provide scholarships and grants, conferences and cultural seminars. Visit our website at www.niaf.org.

Now reaching more than 88 million Nielsen subscribers, The History Channel®, “Where the Past Comes Alive®,” brings history to life in a powerful manner and provides an inviting place where people experience history personally and connect their own lives to the great lives and events of the past. In 2004, The History Channel earned five News and Documentary Emmy® Awards and previously received the prestigious Governor’s Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network’s “Save Our History®” campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel web site is located at www.HistoryChannel.com. Press Only: For more information and photography please visit us on the web atwww.historychannelpress.com.