nPosted on July 28, 2018
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Key Points
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nThe world seems to be dabbling in the ideas of fascism again – and that’s scary. What’s appealing about these authoritarian ideas? Why doesn’t everybody, all the time, yearn for individual rights rather than turning to a leader who promises simple “solutions” and “strong” “leaders”?
“I’m the one who can solve your problems; elect me – and then sit back and let me rule!”
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nOf course, being a citizen in a democracy in which people are free to debate issues, criticize the government, challenge officials, and vote people and political parties out of office – well, being an active and knowledgeable citizen can be a lot of work. So many people! So many opinions! There can be a lot of arguments, disagreements, even protests. Democracy can be noisy and messy…and I suppose that having a dictator could be seen as simpler and quieter!
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nBut…squelchingly un-free!
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Way back in 1922, a man from the tiny European nation of San Marino founded the Sammarinese Fascist Party. The man, who was named Giuliano Gozi, modeled the party on the fascist party in Italy – you know, the one that took fascist dictator and Hitler-wanna-be Benito Mussolini to the top! (It’s not surprising that Gozi was influenced by Italy, since San Marino is entirely surrounded by the much larger nation!
Way back in 1922, a man from the tiny European nation of San Marino founded the Sammarinese Fascist Party. The man, who was named Giuliano Gozi, modeled the party on the fascist party in Italy – you know, the one that took fascist dictator and Hitler-wanna-be Benito Mussolini to the top! (It’s not surprising that Gozi was influenced by Italy, since San Marino is entirely surrounded by the much larger nation!n
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nSoon after he founded the fascist party, Gozi was elected Captain Regent of San Marino.
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nGozi was rich. His family was noble. He had loads of ties to both military and police – and so he was able to take way more control than San Marino’s constitution allows. For example, he worked to ban all other political parties, and it wasn’t a surprise that he ended up winning re-election.
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nHis position of Captain Regent is up for election every six months – and yet Gozi won bunches and bunches of re-elections (against zero competitors) and ended up ruling for 20 years!
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nOf course, the people of Europe and the world fought against fascism in World War II, and the Sammarinese people – even though the nation was officially neutral in the war – began to protest against Gozi and his government.
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When Mussolini was finally removed from power in 1945 – and Hitler and the Nazis were facing defeat – and Mussolini was arrested, executed by firing squad, and displayed to the public to confirm that the monster was truly dead – well, when all of that happened, Gozi’s power ended, and he retired from politics.
When Mussolini was finally removed from power in 1945 – and Hitler and the Nazis were facing defeat – and Mussolini was arrested, executed by firing squad, and displayed to the public to confirm that the monster was truly dead – well, when all of that happened, Gozi’s power ended, and he retired from politics. n
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nNow San Marino celebrates the anniversary of the end of fascism with an actual holiday!
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nSan Marino is the nation with the oldest surviving-and-still-used constitution; it’s a multi-party democracy with a parliament. Hopefully, fascism isn’t stirring its ugly head there again – but it is in Italy, I’ve read.
Let’s all educate ourselves about fascism, learn to recognize fascist tactics and ideas, and stand firmly against it. We must learn from the past and avoid our grandparents’ and great grandparents’ and great-great grandparents’ mistakes!!
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n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n  |
| Even though fascism is starting to rumble again, even in Europe, the good news is that there seem to be more people standing against it that for it. Let’s keep it that way!!!! |
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nAlso on this date:
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nAnniversary of Watkin Glen’s Summer Jam
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nBuffalo Soldiers Day
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nAnniversary of the introduction of potatoes to England and Ireland
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nIndependence Day in Peru
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nOlavsoka Eve
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Author / illustrator Beatrix Potter’s birthday
Author / illustrator Beatrix Potter’s birthday
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nBirthday of women’s suffrage activist Lucy Burns
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nnBirthday of artist Judith Leyster
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nNational Day of the Cowboy
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n(Fourth Saturday in July)
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nNational Dance Day
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n(Last Saturday in July)
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nPlan ahead:
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nCheck out my Pinterest boards for:
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nJuly holidays
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nJuly birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in July
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nAnd here are my Pinterest boards for:
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nAugust holidays
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nAugust birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in August
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