Industrialisation changes radically, establishing a relationship between science, technology and industry.
1871
After the capture of Porta Pia, Rome was proclaimed the capital of Italy by law no. 33 of 3 February 1871.
1872
Distance selling through a catalogue is created in the United States to make up for the difficulties of supplying goods
1873
An economic crisis that begins in Vienna and spreads to the United States, characterised by a strong deflation
1874
The first official exhibition of the Impressionists is held in Paris, at Felix Nadar's studio, which inaugurates a new phase in the history of art
1875
Start of the construction works of the workers' village in Crespi d'Adda, one of the first in Italy
1876
Other events:
-Invention of the telephone
-The first cycling race in the world, called "The Milan-Turin", takes place
1877
Other events:
- “Alle Città d’Italia,” the first Italian department store, is born
1878
One of the first feminist events in the Western world. It mainly focused on improving women rights in everyday life, leaving politics aside
1879
Invented and patented by Joseph Swan in 1878, the light bulb will then be improved and presented to the public by Thomas Edison in 1879
1880
The demand for electricity was growing, both as a source of energy for industries and for citizens. The Holborn Viaduct of the Edison Company was the first power plant in the world
1881
The largest shipowning group ever established in Italy until then, born from the merger of the Florio and Rubattino companies
1882
Robert Koch identifies the bacillus that causes tuberculosis, one of the most dreaded and dangerous diseases of the time
1883
The Teatro Alla Scala in Milan is illuminated for the first time with electricity. Ponichielli's' La Gioconda was performed
1884
The Salon des Indépendants, an avant-garde art exhibition, is born in Paris
1885
After successfully testing it on animals, Pasteur decides to test it on little Joseph Meister, who had contracted the virus
1886
Presentation of the Benz Patent Motorwagen (also known as Velociped), the first car in history with an internal combustion engine
1887
The first instrument in history capable of reproducing and recording sounds
1888
George Eastman registers the Kodak trademark and obtains the patent for his ’camera', the first film camera
1889
Other events:
- Completion of the Orient Express
- Inauguration of the Mole Antonelliana in Turin
1890
The Sherman Antitrust Act, which represents the first action to limit monopolies and cartels in the world.
1891
Other events:
- Inauguration of the National Exposition in Palermo
- Declaration of May 1st as Workers’ Day in Italy
1892
It is the oldest Italian political party in a modern sense and also one of the first mass parties
1893
It is also the only existing club to have participated in the founding of the Italian Football Federation in 1898 and the first team to win the national soccer championship
1894
The biologist Alexandre Yersin manages to isolate the bacterium that causes the plague and to develop a cure
1895
It was invented by the Lumière brothers, and it is thanks to them that we can start talking about the cinema
1896
The Olympic Games are brought back after about 1500 years thanks also to the intervention of the Baron Pierre de Coubertin
1897
Guglielmo Marconi obtains a patent for wireless telegraphic transmission, in other words the radio
1898
The FIGC was established in Turin on 26 March. A little more than 2 months later, the first edition of the Italian Football Championship was organised
1899
Some entrepreneurs from Turin join forces to create an Italian car factory that would be able to offer democratic mobility
1900
The Fair made record numbers, with more than 50 million visitors.
Other events:
-Murder of the italian king Umberto I committed by the anarchist Gaetano Bresci
1901
Other events:
- First transoceanic radio broadcast between the Netherlands and Canada
1902
It was held in Turin and had the purpose of presenting the finest international artistic creations to the Italian and European public
1903
The brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright fly the first airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (USA)
1904
The law made elementary education compulsory.
Other events:
- First Italian general strike
1905
Other events:
- Russian Revolution of 1905
- Albert Einstein's golden year: 4 discoveries in 12 months
1906
It was the first European country to introduce women's suffrage.
Other events:
- Birth of the trade union CgDL, one of the oldest in Italy
- First edition of the Targa Florio car race
1907
It was a 16.000 km long car raid.
Other events:
- Financial crisis "Panic of 1907"
1908
Other events:
- Earthquake in Messina and Reggio Calabria: it was the most serious natural disaster ever happened in Europe
1909
The Manifesto contains the general principles and ideology of Futurism, based on uncritical and enthusiastic adherence to technological civilization and the exaltation of war
1910
The first radio music programme broadcast the voice of the tenor Enrico Caruso live from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City (USA)
1911
A method that allowed the birth of industrial mass production. It was developed by engineer Frederick Taylor
1912
Italy approves universal male suffrage, which extended the right to vote to all male citizens over the age of 30
1913
Henry Ford produces the first mass-produced cars thanks to the assembly line
1914
Outbreak of the First World War following the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo
ARCHITECTURE & URBAN PLANNING
1870
Other events:
- Completion of the Palazzo Butera-Wilding (part of the Villa Florio complex)
1871
Other events:
- Demolition of the Porta di Ossuna
- Construction of the Pandolfo bathing establishment at Acquasanta
1872
A 6 km long railway departed from the wharf. It connected the port with the railway station
1874
Other events:
- Inauguration of the Politeama Garibaldi theatre
- Demolition of the Stimmate Monastery and the Monastery of San Giuliano to build the Teatro Massimo
1875
Other events:
- Start of construction works on the Teatro Massimo
- Inauguration of the Palchetto della Musica (Music Pavilion) in Piazza Castelnuovo
1876
Other events:
- Contract for the works for the construction of Via Emerico Amari
1877
Other events:
- Demolition of Porta Maqueda gate
- Renovation of the Palazzo delle Aquile
- Inauguration of Via Emerico Amari
1878
Other events:
- The Oretea Foundry builds an iron canopy for the Teatro Massimo
1879
Other events:
- Extension of Via Libertà
- Construction of roads connecting the Acquasanta, Marina and Noce districts
1880
Other events:
- Luigi Castiglia drafts the Palermo sewer plan
1881
Other events:
- Expropriation and zoning of areas downstream of Via della Libertà
1882
Other events:
- Suspension of construction work for the Teatro Massimo
- Construction of the first Palermo telephone exchange
1883
Other events:
- Start of excavation work in the seabed of the port to increase its depth
- The Whitakers buy the gardens of Villa Sperlinga
1884
The church was brought back to its original Norman structure by the architect Patricolo
1885
Other events:
- Works to build new roads, sewers and tear demolition of walls to improve the city
1886
Other events:
- Renovation of Villa Sofia
1887
Other events:
- Restoration of the neighbourhoods of the historic centre
1888
Other events:
- Design of an exhibition body for the National Exposition
1889
Other events:
- Start of work on the construction of the Villino Favaloro
- Completion of the project for the National Exposition
- Construction of the Teatro Massimo resumed after 7 years
1890
The hotel, for its position, was intended to accommodate the visitors of the National Exposition 1891-92
1891
Other events:
- Start of the major reclamation works in Mondello
- Completion of the decorations of the Politeama Garibaldi theatre
1892
Other events:
- Expansion of the city's road network according to the Giarrusso zoning plan
1893
Other events:
- Start of construction work on the Pecoraino Mill
- Start of construction work on the Shipyard of Palermo
1894
Other events:
- Start of construction works on the Scillato aqueduct
1895
Other events:
- Completion of the Teatro Massimo
1896
It was projected by the architect Damiani Almeyda. It has been promoted by the prosindaco Pietro Bonanno. The road was named after him
1897
Other events:
- Inauguration of the Teatro Massimo and the Scillato aqueduct
- Construction of a fountain in Piazza Vittoria
1898
Other events:
- Replacement of animal-powered streetcars with electric-powered ones
- Completion of construction work on the first section of Via Roma
1899
Other events:
- Inauguration of the trams that connect Piazza Bologni and the Rocca village
- Inauguration of a thermoelectric power plant near the port of Palermo
1900
Other events:
- Electric lighting in the main streets of the city
1901
Other events:
- Construction of the Palazzo Utveggio in Via XX Settembre
- Inauguration of the Bellini Theatre
1902
The furnishings were made by Studio Ducrot and designed by the architect Ernesto Basile
1903
Other events:
- Demolition of the San Vito bastion
- Construction of numerous Art Nouveau villas and mansions
1904
Other events:
- Start of construction work on the Palazzo Dato
1905
Other events:
- Signing of the agreement between the City of Palermo and the “Les tramways de Palerme” for the transformation of the area of Mondello into seaside resorts
1906
- Presentation of the project for the urban planning of Mondello by the company “Les tramways de Palerme”
1907
Other events:
- Construction of elementary schools in Corso dei Mille
1908
Other events:
- Construction of the Palazzo Gallo-Favaloro
- Expansion of the Pignatelli Institute designed by Ernesto Basile
1909
Other events:
- Mondello urbanization plan of the company “Le tramways de Palerme” goes into operation
- Start of construction work on Goldberg's Chimica Arenella
1910
Other events:
- Inauguration of the Gallery of Modern Art at the Politeama theatre
- End of Mondello's reclamation works by the company “Les tramways de Palerme”
1911
Other events:
- Inauguration of the Lucarelli cinema-theatre
- Inauguration of the Liberty Monument in Piazza Vittorio Veneto
1912
Other events:
- Inauguration of the Mondello bathing establishment
- Approval of the Palermo port expansion project
1913
Other events:
- Destruction of the garden of Villa Amari to build the Kursaal Biondo
1914
Other events:
-Inauguration of Kursaal Biondo
- Expansion and renovation of the Villino Favaloro
ECONOMY
1870
Other events:
- Construction of the Panzera Foundry
1871
The slipway was commissioned by the Florios because it had become necessary a place to repair the ships of the fleet, which grew exponentially
1874
The Florio family bought the islands of Favignana and Formica, with their tuna fisheries, for 2.7 million lire
1875
Other events:
- The "Alberto Ahrens & C." was established. It was initially involved in the import and export of textiles, and then diversified with various activities
1877
The Florio and Rubattino fleets benefit more from government subsidies than all the others in the Italian shipping industry
1878
Other events:
- Shutdown of the Tessoria del Pegno due to the crisis in the textile sector
1880
The only one, among those present in Marsala, to have industrial and innovative machines.
Other events:
- About 856.000 quintals a year of citrus are shipped from Sicily
1881
From the merger of the Florio and Rubattino companies' fleets
1882
The city of Palermo reaches the record for the production of sumac
1884
It was founded by Ignazio Florio Sr.
1885
Caflisch inaugurates the first headquarters of his pastry shop in Corso Vittorio Emanuele and a short time later he opens a steam-powered chocolate factory
1887
Other events:
- Sumac milling crisis due to the introduction of cheaper alternatives
1888
Antonio Lo Verso opens his pastry shop, which 10 years later he will rename to 'Iris', after the famous Palermo dessert he invented
1890
Other events:
- Wine market crisis: protectionism causes a drastic drop in exports and an overproduction of wine, which for the most part was exported abroad
1891
The production of Florio winery expands with Cognac and another wine similar to Porto.
1892
Other events:
- Crisis at Oretea Foundry due to the workers' protests. They feared that the closure of the Palermo compartment of NGI would have serious repercussions on jobs
1893
Other events:
- Renewal of grants between Navigazione Generale Italiana and the Italian government
1895
Other events:
- The company ‘Unione Industriale Landi e Casiraghi’ opens department stores in Palermo
1896
Other events:
- Nicolò Dagnino debuts in the food industry and opened Pasticceria del Massimo and Extrabar Olimpia, places that played an important role in the high society of the Belle Époque
1898
Other events:
- The company ‘società dei Cantieri Navali, Bacini e Stabilimenti Meccanici Siciliani’ was established at the headquarters of Banco Florio.
1899
Ignazio Florio Jr. wanted to repeat the successful experiment of the Anglo-Sicilian Sulphur Company
1901
Ignazio Florio Jr. wanted to expand his business abroad and Tunisia was the most appropriate place for mining
1902
Other events:
- The Banca Commerciale Italiana bank takes over Banco Florio: the cause is to be traced back to the failure to repay a loan of 8 million lire.
1903
The beginning of operations was a bit late compared to the actual date of completion of the construction work
1904
Other events:
- SAVI, the Società Anonima Vinicola Italiana company, is established by
Ignazio and Vincenzo Florio, together with other Marsala producers
1905
Other events:
- Crisis of the Navigazione Generale Italiana company. This results in a downgrade of the port of Palermo and a drop in employment at the Oretea Foundry
1906
It was the first among the Florio companies that has been taken down
1907
Other events:
- The Ducrot factory is listed on the stock exchange. The company's registered office moves to Milan, where it also opens a store, followed by others in Rome and Naples
1909
It was a thriving metallurgical industry that stood on an area of 54 thousand square metres near Via Dante and employed about 400 people
1910
Other events:
- The canned food market is experiencing exponential growth as a result of massive migration: in about 10 years, production has increased tenfold, with a total value of 8.3 million l
1911
Other events:
-The Oretea Foundry is sold to the Cantieri Navali Riuniti company of Genoa. It will gradually disappear, both as an industrial development hub and from the city
1912
The consortium won't go into operation until 1929.
Other events:
- The shipyard is sold to Erasmo Piaggio from Genoa
1913
In a few months it becomes the largest producer of citric acid in Europe. It declined after the Second World War, until it was taken down in 1987
COSTUME AND SOCIETY
1870
Giulia Florio, third daughter of Ignazio and Giovanna Florio, becomes princess of Trabia at about 15 years of age thanks to her marriage to Pietro Lanza Branciforte
1873
Born Francesca Paola Jacona della Motta di Sangiuliano, she helped to make Palermo a cosmopolitan city and an international meeting point
1874
The inauguration is held on 7 June, while it is still incomplete, with Vincenzo Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi
1881
Richard Wagner, his wife Cosima and their three children stay at the Grand Hotel et des Palmes, where they often enjoy the company of Palermo's high society
1882
Among the protagonists of Palermo’s Belle Époque, they contributed to the spread of sports (especially football and tennis) in the city
1883
Fourth child of Ignazio and Giovanna Florio.
Other events:
- Appointment of Ignazio Florio Sr. as senator of the Kingdom of Italy
1884
Of his 12 children, only 3 decide to stay in Sicily and continue the family business: Joseph “Pip”, Robert and Joshua
1887
He was the first Southerner to become Prime Minister and his governments distinguished themselves for social reforms, but also for the fight against socialists and anarchists
1891
Other events:
- Inauguration of the Italian National Exposition
- Birth of the Fasci Siciliani movement
1893
It was the first murder committed by the mafia.
Other events:
- Ignazio Florio married Franca Jacona della Motta di Sangiuliano
1894
After a series of strike attempts and violent revolts, Prime Minister Francesco Crispi tries to restore order by quashing protests by military intervention
1897
On 16 May, the Teatro Massimo opens with Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff
1899
Inauguration of the Consorzio Agrario Siciliano at the Politeama theatre. The main promoter of the initiative is Ignazio Florio Jr.
1900
Other events:
- Foundation of the Palermo Football Club
- Inauguration of the hotel Villa Igiea
1901
Giovanni Boldini paints Franca Florio
1902
Other events:
- Franca Florio is appointed lady of the court
- Joseph Pip Whitaker is named honorary president of the Anglo Palermitan Football Club
1903
Other events:
- Dissolution of the Consorzio Agrario Siciliano
1904
Kaiser Wilhelm II arrives in Palermo aboard his yacht Hohenzollern
1905
Other events:
- The first Sicilian football tournament in history, the Whitaker Challenge Cup, is held
1906
Inauguration of Targa Florio's first edition. It is a car race organised by Vincenzo Florio
1907
A terrible explosion destroyed the whole neighborhood.
Other events:
- First edition of the “Perla del Mediterraneo” motorboat regatta
1908
One of the most serious natural disasters that occurred in Italy and Europe in the 20th century. More than 100,000 people die
1909
A inter-regional tournament promoted by the tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton.
Other events:
- Assassination of Joe Petrosino
1910
Other events:
- Inauguration of the Civic Gallery of Modern Art
1911
She was a noblewoman from Palermo, he was a baron. The story will cause a huge scandal, both because Giulia was already married, and because both were beloved members of the Palermo élite
1912
The Count had discovered the affair between Florio and his wife Vera and wanted to settle the score. The two will duel with the sabre and suffered serious injuries
1914
Because of his serious financial problems, Ignazio Florio Jr. sells the newspaper L'Ora to Filippo Pecoraino, a wealthy entrepreneur who owns mills and pasta factories