-
Jan 1, 706
Spartan Immigrants
In 706 BC, spartan immigrants found the colony of Taranto in Southern Italy. -
Jan 1, 1348
The Black Death
The disasterous disease known as the Black Death spread across Europe in the years 1346-53. This was an epidemic of bubonic plague, a disease caused by the bacterium, when, normally the black rat gets infected. The plague impacts humans when the rats are around humans. In 1348 the Black Death took over most of Italy, killing one third of its population. -
Jan 1, 1494
First Italian War
The Italian War of 1494-98, or First Italian War, began, marking the first major battle in the Italian Wars. -
Earthquake
Europe's worst earthquake, centered on the strait of Messina, kills up to 200,000 people in Sicily and southern Italy. The earthquake that rocked the city of Messina, Italy, in 1908 was the largest ever recorded in Europe, measuring more than 7 on the moment magnitude scale. -
World War I
Italy sides with the Allies as they enter World War I. During WWI the allies included Britain, France, Russia, the United States, and Italy. -
World War II
In 1940-1943 Italy switches sides, and fights with Germany as it enters World War II. -
End Monarchy
In 1946 Italians vote to end the monarchy and make their nation a democratic republic. -
Catholicism
Catholicism is no longer Italy's formal state religion. -
Afghanistan
Italy takes part in the Afghanistan War. -
Prime Minister
Billionaire Silvio Berlusconi returns to power as prime minister. He begins a third term.
