After WW2, Italian soldiers faced a split fate: many who refused to fight for the Germans became Italian Military Internees (IMIs), enduring forced labor and harsh conditions in Germany, while others joined the Italian Resistance, fought with Allies, or returned home, with the entire nation transitioning from monarchy to republic, marked by division and reconstruction.
After the Italian Armistice, the great majority of the Italian army left without orders, was disbanded. Thousands of soldiers were killed by the Germans in attempts to quell any move by the former Axis nation to join the Allies or the partisans, while tens of thousands were disarmed and sent to Germany as prisoners.
WW2 soldiers carried condoms primarily for disease prevention (STDs like syphilis and gonorrhea) and for practical combat uses, such as keeping sand and mud out of their rifle barrels, protecting small items, or even as makeshift waterproof bags, although the weapon-protection use is sometimes exaggerated in popular culture. The military distributed them widely (often in "prophylactic kits") to maintain troop strength, recognizing the significant manpower lost to venereal diseases in past conflicts.
The Risorgimento successfully established a dynasty, the House of Savoy, over the whole peninsula, uniting the kingdoms of Sardinia and the Two Sicilies to form the modern Kingdom of Italy. The monarchy was superseded by the Italian Republic, after a constitutional referendum was held on 2 June 1946 after World War II.
German troops began surrendering by the thousands. The rapidly shrinking eastern pocket surrendered on April 16, followed two days later by the remains of the western pocket. More than 300,000 Germans became prisoners of war, constituting the largest single German surrender in western Europe during World War II.
Denmark and Norway
Denmark surrendered on the day it was invaded. British and French troops fought briefly in Norway, but engaged too late.
John Wayne didn't serve in WWII due to a combination of age (34 at Pearl Harbor), family status (deferment for wife and kids), and, crucially, occupational deferments secured by his studio, Republic Pictures, who argued his films were vital for national morale, though he reportedly wanted to enlist, leading to lifelong guilt and a reputation as a "draft dodger" despite his patriotic image.
THE MEDICI FAMILY: the most rich and powerful family of Italy! – Full summary of their history – LearnAmo.
2025 is special in Italy because it's a Jubilee year. This means that it's a year of celebration, reflection and pilgrimage for Catholics all over the world. Many Catholics will choose 2025 as a year to visit Italy to embrace the Jubilee celebrations.
The Savoie region has only been part of France since 1860!
The King of Sardinia, Victor Amadeus III, joined forces with other kings opposing the French Revolution. Nevertheless, there was great jubilation throughout the region when the French General Montesquieu arrived in Chambery in 1792 to annexe Savoie.
'Bad' girls have always known how to look after themselves. Barrier methods were always very popular. A halved, emptied lemon skin placed over the cervix worked well, for example, as did sponges soaked in natural spermicides such as vinegar.
By the end of the war, approximately 7,000 of the 10,500 SIS staff were female. These women on the home front contributed to the Allied victory by successfully breaking codes and deciphering enemy messages. The women cryptologists were held to strict secrecy and would become one of the best-kept secrets of WWII.
The Bible literally has zero to say on condoms.
Ever since Mussolini began to falter, Hitler had been making plans to invade Italy to keep the Allies from gaining a foothold that would situate them within easy reach of the German-occupied Balkans. On the day of Italy's surrender, Hitler launched Operation Axis, the occupation of Italy.
Polish troops finally captured Monte Cassino on May 18, 1944, five months into the bloody campaign and four months after the monastery was leveled.
Nonetheless, circulatory diseases remained the leading cause of death in Italy in 2020, and were responsible for over 30 % of all fatalities. Cancer was the second leading cause of mortality in 2020, accounting for 22.5 % of all deaths.
Italy's "Big Three" refers to its most iconic and popular tourist destinations: Rome, Florence, and Venice, a classic trio for first-time visitors seeking history, art, and unique cultural experiences. These cities offer ancient ruins (Rome), Renaissance masterpieces (Florence), and romantic canals (Venice), often covered in short, classic Italian itineraries.
Italy is expecting unprecedented tourist arrivals in 2025, and the crowds may just get to be too much for your summer vacay. A major religious event that takes place only once every 25 years is slated for 2025, expected to draw millions of pilgrims to the country.
They clawed their way to the top through bribery, corruption and violence. Those who stood in their way often wound up humiliated - or dead. And the Medici exploited a network of “friends of friends” - hangers on who would do anything to stay close to the family, extorting from the weak, and crushing their enemies.
South Tyrol is actually Italy's richest province in terms of GDP per capita at about €42,600, and it tops the national rankings for many well-being indicators.
No, there are no descendants of the Medici left today.
American draft evaders who left for Canada and became prominent there include politician Jim Green, gay rights advocate Michael Hendricks, attorney Jeffry House, author Keith Maillard, playwright John Murrell, television personality Eric Nagler, film critic Jay Scott, and musician Jesse Winchester.
However, Army files reported that Sinatra had actually been rejected because he was "not acceptable material from a psychiatric viewpoint;" Sinatra's emotional instability was hidden to avoid "undue unpleasantness for both the selectee and the induction service".
Mitchum got drafted into the Army and then got a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for playing a soldier. He served as a medic at Fort MacArthur, California. Mitchum was married with two sons when he was drafted, so the Army gave him a Dependency Discharge after eight months of service.