HISTORICAL CONTEXT | ITA 1870 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