History of Italy

Name: Italy
Address: 0, Italy

Journey back in time to Italy

Visit Italy. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.

Are you from Italy? Do you have ancestors from there? Tell us YOUR story!

In 1592, Galileo, of Italy, invented the thermometer, and in 1609, he invented the telescope.

Fun fact: In Italy, it is considered distasteful to ask for extra cheese. That is taken as a signal to the chef that you don't like the food.

Christmas: Instead of Santa Claus, gifts are delivered by a witch named La Befana. Nice kids get gifts and candies. Naughty kids get coal and garlic. People leave wine for her to drink.

There is MUCH more to discover about Italy. Read on!

1592 - The thermometer is invented (Galileo, Italy)
"The first thermometer was constructed by Galileo. It consisted of a small glass globe fitted with a long tube. The open end of the tube was inserted ...Read MORE...
1609 - Galileo's telescope (Galileo, Italy)
"Galileo made his first telescope in 1609, modeled after telescopes produced in other parts of Europe that could magnify objects three times. He...Read MORE...
1693 - Earthquake in Sicily killed over 60,000, destroyed 45 cities

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1737 - March 12 - Galileo's body moved to Church of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy

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1796 - Napoleon Bonaparte assumes command of the Army of Italy
1800 - Electric storage battery is invented (Alessandro Volta, Italy)
...Probably the most important developments in the science of electricity started with the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro...Read MORE...
1805 - Napoleon declared himself Italian Emperor

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1814 - Napoleon abdicated his throne; Italy divided into small kingdoms

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Tivoli in Italy
Kelly's New System of Universal Geography, 1828
Artwork
1849 - Republic of Rome taken over by French troops

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1861 - Kingdom of Italy established excluding Rome, Venice, San Marino; King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia became King of Italy

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1866 - Italy obtained Venice from Austria

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1870 - Italian forces occupied Rome

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1871 - Rome named capital of Italy

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Bellagio
Postcard
Lago di Como
Postcard
1895 - Italy
Italy, it'a-le, a kingdom in the S. of Europe, consisting of a peninsula, or continental portion, and numerous islands, of which Sicily and Sardinia...Read MORE...
1900 - Population of Italy - 32,475,000
Verona
Postcard
Firenze
Postcard
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
(IL) - Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois
1906 - April 7 – Mount Vesuvius erupts and devastates Naples.

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April 7, 1906
1913 - December 12 – Vincenzo Perugia tries to sell the Mona Lisa in Florence and is arrested.

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December 12, 1913
1915 - Italy joined World War I on side of Allies

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1922 - Fascists took control of Rome; Benito Mussolini named Prime Minister

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1925 - Mussolini became Dictator of Italy

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1929 - February 11 - Independent State of Vatican City created by Lateran Treaty
Lateran Concordat of 1929
On February 11th, 1929, an historic treaty was signed between the Italian Government and the Vatican re-establishing the...Read MORE...
1936 - Mussolini formed anti-Communist Axis with Germany

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1940 - Italy entered World War II as ally of Germany

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1943 - Italy surrendered to Allied forces; Mussolini forced to resign; Italy declared war on Germany

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1945 - Mussolini executed by Italian partisans

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1955 - Italy joined United Nations

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Rome
Hotel Pension
Villa Ludovisi
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Roma
Albergo Ristorante
Podio Bella Napoli
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Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Italy

Italy

Tivoli in Italy
Kelly's New System of Universal Geography, 1828
Artwork

Italy

Bellagio
Postcard

Italy

Lago di Como
Postcard

Italy

Verona
Postcard

Italy

Firenze
Postcard