In the news1906
Simplon Tunnel opens, 1906
In 1906, the Simplon Tunnel, at 19.7 km the world's longest at the time, opened, connecting Italy and Switzerland by rail.
1904 – 1962
7 facts1 source
1904
Born
1962
Dies
He lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
Who governed
Monarch of Italy, 951 · Kingdom of Italy
Monarch of Italy, 947 · Kingdom of Italy
Monarch of Italy, 1900–1946 · Kingdom of Italy
In the news1906
In 1906, the Simplon Tunnel, at 19.7 km the world's longest at the time, opened, connecting Italy and Switzerland by rail.
Music
Christmas Music by Zampognari Musicians
At Christmastime, zampognari musicians traveled from the Abruzzi mountains to Naples, playing bagpipes and the ciaramella to perform music before images of the Holy Infant during the nine-day Novena.
Around the world · 1903–1906Powered flight. The Wright brothers flew a powered aeroplane at Kitty Hawk in 1903; in 1906 Santos-Dumont flew the 14-bis in Paris.
Daily life
Candlelit homes and open hearth cooking
Until around 1910, most homes relied on candles, oil lamps, or petroleum lamps for lighting. Cooking was done over open fires that blackened kitchens with smoke until newer closed stoves appeared around 1915–1920.
In the news1905
In 1905, the Italian state nationalized the railway network, forming the State Railways (FS) to modernize transport and boost heavy industry.
What people wore
Apron signals romantic interest
In mountain villages, women used their aprons as a silent language; moving the apron to the right side signaled a romantic interest in a young man.
Getting around
Reaching the train station by mule cart
For many people in the early 1900s, reaching a train station required walking down mountain paths to a village where they could catch a mule cart. This was often the first time individuals had traveled beyond a few miles from their birthplace.