1861-2011

150° anniversario Unità d’Italia

The year 2011 marked the 150^th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

In 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi gathered about a thousand of volunteers (I Mille) in Genoa for an expedition by sea to Sicily. Within two months, they occupied Sicily and then crossed to the mainland and marched to Naples, where Garibaldi gave up command of his army and all lands to the south to Victor Emanuel II, signifying the unity and formation of the Kingdom of Italy, formalized March 17, 1861 when Victor Emanuel II was crowned the first King of Italy. This event is being commemorated in Italy and all over the world with a year of celebrations.

ARSA organized one such commemoration event and invited all Italian organizations to take part. Our event took place on Sunday June 5, 2011, three days after the “Festa della Republica”. It began with a mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, and followed by a walk in procession to Garibaldi Park on Polk Street for a wreath laying ceremony. Many individuals attended and several organizations participated with club banners and flags. The event was a huge success.

Event chairman, Carlo Vaniglia

Click photo below to view photos of the event