Conquest of Rome, 150 Years -- September 20, 2020

 

copyright Google, 2011

Today is 150th anniversary of the conquest of Rome and final unification of Italy on 20-September-1870. The army of the Kingdom of Italy, led by General Raffaele Cadorna, breached the Aurelian Walls. The Bersaglieri were the first to enter the city. Outnumbered Papal Zouaves put up a fight, but were overwhelmed. Pope Pius IX declared himself "The Prisoner of the Vatican." The next year, Rome became the capital of Italy. 

Many towns and cities in Italy have a Via XX Settembre. 

I borrowed the Google Doodle above from the 150th anniversary of the unification of the rest of Italy, on 17-March-1861. 

Viva L'Italia Unita!

Vatican II 50 Years -- October 11, 2012

On 11-October-1962, the Second Vatican Council opened in Rome.  Pope John XXIII had called for the council to "open the windows...and let in some fresh air."

Among the results of the council were mass in the vernacular, the presider facing the congregation during mass, involvement of the laity during mass and in many operations of the church and countless other changes.  Some people still find the results of the council controversial.  

Pope John XXIII was Time Magazine's Man of the Year in the 04-January-1963 edition.

The Giants beat the Reds for the third time in Cincinnati, to win the National League Championship Series.  

Book: The War with Hannibal -- October 13, 2008

I finished reading the Penguin edition of Livy's The History of Rome from Its Foundation, Books XXI-XXX, which covers the Second Punic War. The only works of Titus Livius that I had read before were books I-V, which covered the history of Rome from its foundation to the sack by the Gauls. I noticed many differences in Roman customs. I don't remember a mention of sacrifices with "full grown victims" in I-V. I don't remember the practice of strewing the couches of the gods.

It's not Livy's fault, but there were far too many guys named Hasdrubal.

There has been a big fire on Angel Island. No historic buildings destroyed.