nPostednon April 25, 2016
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nDuringnWorld War II, Italy was one of the “enemies.”
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nAndnby that, I mean that Italy was part of the “Axis,” fighting WITHnthe German Nazis and Japan – fighting AGAINST the “Allies” thatnincluded the U.S., the U.K., France, U.S.S.R., Australia, Belgium,nBrazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand,nNorway, Poland, South Africa, and Yugoslavia.
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nOfncourse, that does not mean that all Italian people were pro-Nazi. Asna matter of fact, many, many Italians spent the years before andnduring WWII actively fighting against their own fascist government.nBenito Mussolini was the leader of that government: at first andemocratically elected Prime Minister and later a dictator withnsecret police and almost total control over the people of Italy.
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nHavingna dictator who destroys all political rivals and who controlsninformation and media and education really hurts the people undernthat “leader.” And that’s why the Italian people celebrate thendate in 1945 when Allied troops liberated Italy from Nazi occupationnand from Mussolini.
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nHere’snhow they celebrate:
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- Paradesnand marching bands
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Do you think of bagpipes as only Scottish? This photo is labeled “traditional Italian bagpipes.” |
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- Musicnconcerts and food festivals
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- Politicalnrallies
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- Flags and red-white-and-green colors
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nItalynis one heck of a gorgeous and fascinating country! Because it is madenup of a peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean Sea, plus islands,nthere are wonderful coasts and beaches and cities made up of canals.
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Tropea |
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Ogliastra, Sardinia |
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Venice |
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nItalynalso has amazing mountain scenery, courtesy of the Alps.
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The Dolomites |
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Lake Como |
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nItalynis of course famous for being the hub of the ancient Roman Empire,nand the ruins of its ancient temples and arenas and baths andncatacombs are fantastic! Sadder but equally amazing are the townsnpreserved in volcanic ash when the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted inn79 A.D.
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The Forum |
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The Colosseum |
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The Catacombs |
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Pompeii |
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nOnenof my favorite cuisines is Italian food, and some of the best Italiannfood I’ve ever eaten was in Italy!
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I especially love pasta with carbonara sauce! |
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Italian pizzas are thin-crusted – and yummy! |
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nAndnthen there is all of the art, the art, the architecture, and the art!
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nAlso on this date:
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nAstronautnFrank De Winne’s birthday
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nWorldnPenguin Day
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nPlannahead:
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Checknout my Pinterest boards for:
Checknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nApriln holidays
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nMayn holidays
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nMayn birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in May
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