Italy on this Day

Best things to do in Rome in December 2025 A local's guide to what's on in Rome in December. December is perhaps the most magical time to visit Rome as the Eternal City prepares for the festive season with twinkling decorations, church concert...

A quick guide to the best events and things to do in the Eternal City in December.

Photo of Pope Pius IX

Photo of children's story character Pinocchio.

Photo of Charles 'Lucky' Luciano

Print of 16th century sculptor Pietro Torrigiano

A pope forced to flee Rome; the satirical journalist who created Pinocchio; the boss who brought order to the US Mafia; a sculptor famous for breaking Michelangelo's nose; and a painter who lost his family in the Battle of Monte Cassino. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/11/24no...

Pope Pius IX flees Rome Pope Pius IX fled Rome on November 24, after he was besieged inside the Quirinale Palace by a mob uprising.

The 19th century pope who fled Rome in disguise. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/11/pope...

Anna Possi - bar owner Anna Possi, widely accepted to be the oldest bartender in Italy at 101 years old, was born on November 16, 1924.

Another milestone for Italy's oldest barista. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/11/anna...

A prolific goalscorer who helped Italy reach the 1970 World Cup final against the brilliant Brazilians. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/11/robe...

First Lady who supported workers’ rights and victims of domestic violence. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/11/clio...

Day of National Unity in Italy Italians today celebrate the Day of National Unity on the anniversary of victory in World War One.

Why 4 November is a day of celebration and commemoration in Italy. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/11/day-...

Rome remembers Pier Paolo Pasolini, 50 years after his murder, with 100 cultural events Rome pays tribute to Pier Paolo Pasolini. Rome will host two months of cultural events in honour of the Italian poet, writer, film director and intellectual Pier Paolo Pasolini, to mark the 50th anniv...

50 years after his brutal murder - on this day in 1975 - Rome pays tribute to Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Antonio Canova - sculptor Antonio Canova, considered to be the greatest Neoclassical sculptor of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was born on November 1, 1757.

Italy On This Day was born on this day in 2015 - this is our 10th anniversary and this was our first post. www.italyonthisday.com/2015/11/anto...

Giuseppe Ravizza - inventor The 19th century inventor Giuseppe Ravizza, credited with designing one of the first functional typewriters, died on October 30, 1885.

Was the true inventor of the typewriter really an Italian? www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/gius...

Emma Gramatica – actress The actress Emma Gramatica was born on October 25, 1874, in Fidenza, not far from Parma in Emiglia-Romagna.

An actress who made her debut in the silent movie era and was still on the big screen in the 1960s. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/emma...

Edmondo De Amicis - writer and journalist The writer Edmondo De Amicis, most famous for his book for schoolchildren, Cuore, was born on October 21, 1846.

A writer whose most famous novel became the textbook of moral guidance for Italian schoolchildren. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/edmo...

A World War One naval commander renowned for his feats of daring. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/luig...

Italy to launch new Christmas Markets train linking Rome with Arezzo Christmas Markets train to operate every Sunday from 30 November until 4 January. Italy is launching a special rail service connecting Rome with the magical Christmas markets in Arezzo, with trains ru...

Italy to launch a festive rail service linking Rome with the magical Christmas markets in Arezzo.

A noblewoman murdered for her Christianity; a Venetian artist famed for miniatures; a ruthless soldier with a love of art; the architect who set the template for the Renaissance palace; and a Youtuber who became a celebrity chef by accident. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/7ott...

A writer and soldier who documented Garibaldi's Expedition of the Thousand in the battle to unite Italy. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/gius...

The writer of a brilliant novel of WW1; a record-breaking rider from Siena's Palio; one of Italy's greatest acting talents; a shy singer who become a great bass-baritone; and a boxer who regained his world title after surviving an horrific car crash. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/3ott...

A widely-travelled journalist and writer famed among many triumphs for a novel based on his WW1 experiences that brilliantly captured the dark and unheroic nature of frontline combat. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/giov...

The face of Ballando con le Stelle - Italy's Strictly; the ex-Watford coach successful in Italy; a Marquis who was a patron of the arts; Italy's first Olympic road race cycling champion; and a multi-talented avant-garde composer. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/1ott...

Pavarotti lives - so much of our love for Italian football derives from this man. Tonight verona celebrates him

Well now, what might be happening this Shocking Red November? Venice Noir, that’s what!

Milly Carlucci - TV host The TV presenter Milly Carlucci, long-running host of Ballando con le Stelle, was born on October 1, 1954.

The former actress, showgirl and pop singer who became Italy's favourite TV host. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/10/mill...

The self-proclaimed 'food activist' with 3 Michelin stars; the 19th-century ballerina who sparked envy among rivals; the police commander ordered to arrest Mussolini; an actress who became the face of D&G; and the doctor who wrote the first fitness guide. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/30se...

The founder of a famous banking dynasty; a Russian spy in Italy's parliament; the first Italian woman to be made a Nobel laureate; the former rapper known as Jovanotti; an English star who settled on Capri; and an important figure in Renaissance theatre. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/27se...

The Oscar-winning actress who formed a lifelong bond with writer Tennessee Williams; the deadly 1997 earthquake that struck the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi; and the pipe-smoking coach who masterminded Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/26se...

A popular actor who has scooped multiple awards. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/elio...

A second century Roman general who died a martyr after converting to Christianity. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/sant...

Italy celebrates olive oil harvest in Umbria with new rail journey Italy will launch a new train service this autumn linking Rome with the town of Assisi in a rail journey that celebrates the olive oil harvest in Umbria.

Italy launches a special rail journey this autumn to celebrate the olive oil harvest in Umbria.

Academic who overcame disability to become an expert on Venetian history and the life of controversial writer and statesman Paolo Sarpi. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/gaet...

A momentous step towards ending WW2 in Italy. www.italyonthisday.com/2025/09/armi...