17 marzo 1861: l’Italia era unificata

Italy is a young country

In 1861 the Regno d‘Italia under king Vittorio Emanuele II. formed. Interestingly, originating from La Sardegna. 

However Italy was only united in 1871 when the Church State fell. At that time the French troops were tied up in the totally pointless French-German war of 1870/1871, so they couldn‘t protect the Church State. 

In the meantime Italy had acquired Venetia/Friuli in 1866 when Nice and Savoya became part of France.
(A little later, after WWI in 1919, Alto Adige was added, which lead to Italy’s current form.)

The main point is that the big step was in 1871 and that a war someplace else lead to the opportunity. 

Interestingly the French-German war also caused the final end of the French monarchy. What followed was the first long phase of a stable Republique française. It lasted until 1940 when the Nazis invaded.

Edit: typos.

Who knows if Italians celebrate this?

Avanti Savoia!

Time for Europe now 

Sad day