Mount Rushmore's chief carver gets his due

Mount Rushmore's chief carver gets his due

A ceremony was held this weekend at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, officially recognizing – for the first time – the contributions of an Italian immigrant, Luigi Del Bianco, who was the memorial’s chief carver. Jim Axelrod takes us through the history of how Del Bianco (who died 48 years ago) is receiving this long-delayed honor from the National Park Service.

Truth Analysis

Factual Accuracy
4/5
Bias Level
4/5
Analysis Summary:

The article is mostly accurate, focusing on the recognition of Luigi Del Bianco's contributions to Mount Rushmore. The main claims about the ceremony and Del Bianco's role as chief carver are supported by multiple sources. There is a slight bias towards highlighting the injustice of Del Bianco's initial lack of recognition.

Detailed Analysis:
  • Claim:** A ceremony was held this weekend at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, officially recognizing Luigi Del Bianco's contributions.
    • Verification Source #1: Supports this claim.
    • Verification Source #2: Supports this claim.
  • Claim:** Luigi Del Bianco was the memorial's chief carver.
    • Verification Source #2: Supports this claim, stating Del Bianco was "arguably A CUT ABOVE the other stone".
    • Verification Source #5: Supports this claim, referring to Del Bianco as "chief carver at Mount Rushmore".
  • Claim:** Del Bianco was an Italian immigrant.
  • This is not explicitly stated in all sources, but is implied and supported by Verification Source #3 and #4, which reference his Italian heritage.
  • Claim:** Del Bianco died 48 years ago (from the date of the article, September 17, 2017).
  • This would place his death around 1969. This is not explicitly verified by the provided sources, but is plausible and not contradicted.
  • Claim:** The National Park Service is giving Del Bianco this long-delayed honor.
    • Verification Source #1: Supports this claim.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
  • Verification Source #1 and #2 both confirm the ceremony recognizing Del Bianco's contributions.
  • Verification Source #2 and #5 support the claim that Del Bianco was the chief carver.
  • Verification Source #3 and #4 highlight Del Bianco's Italian heritage.
  • Verification Source #4 implies that Del Bianco was not initially given due credit for his work.
  • The claim about Del Bianco's death date is not explicitly verified by the provided sources, but is not contradicted.