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Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was born in Dovia di Predappio, Forli, Italy. He was born to his father, Alessandro, who was a blacksmith and an impassioned socialist who spent much of his time on politics. His mother, Rosa (Maltoni), was a devout Catholic school teacher who provided the family with some stability and income. Mussolini was the eldest of
3 children. (www.biography.com) -
Fascist Party
In March 1919, Mussolini created the Facist Party in Italy. He created this from the support of war veterans. He oraganized them into small squads known as Black Shirts to terrorize their political opponents. Later on, in 1921, the Fascist Party was invited to join the coallition in government. (www.bbc.co.uk) -
"To Hand over the King and Army a Renewed Italy"
Italy started to slip into political chaos. The Black Shirts marched on to Rome and Mussolini made himself the only man capable of restoring order. 30,000 Fascists marched and demanded for King Victor Emmanuel III's power, he relentlessly said yes. (The Second World War by John Keegan) -
Matteotti Murder
Giacomo Matteotti was an Italian Socialist politician and was an opponent of Mussolini. He denounced Fascist violence and kept trying until his death. Matteotti was kidnapped and killed by Mussolini's secret police. (Duce! The Life and Death of a Dictator, A Biorgraphy of Benito Mussolini, Maslyn Williams) -
Crowned Dictator
Mussolini gradually dismantled democracy in Rome leading to crowning himself dictator in 1925. He took the title 'Il Duce' meaning leader in Italian. He thought to re-establish Italy as a great European power. (www.bbc.co.uk) -
The Invasion on Ethiopia
In 1935, Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and incorporated it to his Italian "empire." His declaration of war against Britain and France in June 1940 exposed Italian weaknesses. This was followed by a series of defeats in North and East Africa and the Balkans. (World War II: A Concise Military History of America's All-Cut, Two-Front War, by Maurice Matloff) -
Nazi Allliance
Italy accepted German alliance. The increasing of co-operation with Nazi Germany was signed in the 1939 Pact of Steel. Influenced by Hitler, Mussolini began to introduce anti-Jewish legislation in Italy. (The Second World War, John Keegan) -
Electron Microscope
First electron microscope demosntrated by Radio Corporation of America, Camden, New Jersey. Vladimir Zworykin, better known as a co-inventor of television, demonstrates the first electron microscope in the United States. Zworykin, just improves this electronic apparatus. (www.wired.com and The Time Tables Of History, Bernard Grun) -
Jet Engines
A new combustion chamber for jet engines was designed by Frank Halford after a contract was given to De Havilland to design and make a new jet powered fighter in early 1941. This was good for the Air force during WWII and the basics for future design for better engines. (tanks45.tripod.com and Time Tables of History, Bernard Grun) -
Popular songs in 1941
Some popular songs in 1941 were: "Bewitched, Bothered, Bewickered," "Deep In The Heart Of Texas," "I don't want to Set the World on Fire," "Chatanooga-Choo-choo," "I got it Bad and That Ain't Good." Music during WW2/Great Depression had special signifigance. Most popular songs were uplifting and humorous to bring spirits up of the soldiers and families. ( Time Tables of History, Bernard Grun) -
Overthrown and Imprisonment
Allied troops landed in Sicily, Mussolini was overthrown and imprisoned by his former colleagues in the Fascist government. In September Italy signed an armistice with the Allies. Mussolini was rescued by German commandos and he was installed in a new government but had little power. As the allies advanced northward of Italy, Mussolini fled to Switzerland, (www.bbc.co.uk) -
"Madonna and Child"
In 1943, Henry Moore was commissioned ot make a "Madonna and Child" for the church of St. Matthew in North Hampton. This sculptures set currency is $324,090. It was one of Henry Moore's most famous sculptures. (www.christies.com) -
"Big Inch"
The 1300-mile-long "Big Inch" oil pipeline was opened. This pipeline ran from Texas to Pennsylvania. The Inch Lines were built during a period of extreme national emergency.The lines were a major part of the U.S. war effort and represented a significant achievement in pipeline technology in terms of sheer size and scope. The Big Inch and Little Big Inch represented an outstanding accomplishment in efficient and rapid corp. (www. ducke-energy.com and Time Tables, Bernard Grun) -
Science, Tech. and Growth
In 1943, penicillin was successfully used in the treatment of chronic diseases. First discovered by a French medical student Ernest Duchesne in 1896. In1928, Duchesne's discovery was furthered study by bacteriologist, Sir Alexander Flemming. It was not until 1939, however, that Dr. Howard Florey took intensive research and studies to know what peniciillin can really do to kill infectious bacteria. (www.about.com and Time Tables, Bernard Grun.) -
Torture and Death
After the Allied occupation of Southern Italy (1943) the King ordered Mussolini to be arrested in order to sign the armistice. He was imprisoned but then freed by the Germans and lived in Northern Italy untl his recapture and execution from military forces of the Italian Resistance. On the next day, Mussolini and his henchman's corpses were hung in Pizzale, Loreto Milan, on public display. (cidc.library.cornell.edu) -
"Black Markets" and ESB bombed
Bad times were arising in Europe. "Black Markets" for food, clothing and cigarretts developed in Europe. On different terms, in New York, New York the Empire State Building was strucked at 78-79 floors on July 28th by a B-25 Bomber. (Time Tables, Bernard Grun)
