History of San Marino in Timeline

San Marino is a landlocked microstate in Southern Europe, completely surrounded by Italy. It is situated on the northeastern slopes of the Apennine Mountains and is one of two microstates located within Italy, the other being Vatican City. It is officially known as the Republic of San Marino.

May 1915: Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary

In May 1915, when Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, San Marino remained neutral, leading to Italy suspecting San Marino of harboring Austrian spies. Italy attempted to establish Carabinieri in San Marino and cut telephone lines. Two groups of volunteers from San Marino joined Italian forces, one as combatants and the other as a Red Cross field hospital unit. Austria-Hungary then suspended diplomatic relations with San Marino due to the field hospital.

1921: First Railway Station

In 1921, San Marino was served by a station on the Rimini–Novafeltria railway in Torello, which was located in Italian territory and provided San Marino its first railway station.

1922: Founding of the Sammarinese Fascist Party

In 1922, the Sammarinese Fascist Party (Partito Fascista Sammarinese, PFS) was founded, modeled after its Italian counterpart. The party gained support from the middle class, who feared concessions to the lower class majority.

1923: PFS Rule Begins

In 1923, the Sammarinese Fascist Party (PFS) started their rule in San Marino, which would last until 1943. During this time, they often sought support from Benito Mussolini's fascist government in Italy.

1932: Rimini-San Marino Railway Opens

In 1932, a 31.5-kilometre electrified narrow gauge railway began operating between Rimini and the City of San Marino.

September 1940: False report of San Marino declaring war

In September 1940, it was falsely reported in The New York Times that San Marino had declared war on the United Kingdom. The Sammarinese government later clarified to the British government that they had not declared war.

July 1943: Collapse of PFS rule

In July 1943, three days after the fall of the Fascist regime in Italy, PFS rule collapsed, and the new government declared neutrality in the conflict.

1943: End of PFS Rule

In 1943, specifically three days after the fall of the Fascist regime in Italy, the rule of the Sammarinese Fascist Party (PFS) collapsed, and the new government declared neutrality in World War II.

April 1944: PFS Regains Power

In April 1944, the PFS regained power but maintained San Marino's neutrality during World War II.

June 1944: Bombing of San Marino

On June 26, 1944, San Marino was bombed by Allied forces, who believed it was occupied by German troops and used for storing ammunition. The Sammarinese government declared that there were no military installations or equipment on its territory and no belligerent forces had been allowed to enter.

September 1944: Occupation by German Forces

In September 1944, San Marino was briefly occupied by German forces. Allied troops defeated the German forces in the Battle of San Marino and subsequently occupied San Marino for two months before departing.

1944: Railway Bombed and Closed

In 1944, during the Second World War, the Rimini-San Marino railway line was bombed and closed.

1945: First Communist Government

In 1945, San Marino established the world's first democratically elected communist government, a coalition between the Sammarinese Communist Party and the Sammarinese Socialist Party.

September 1950: Heliport Inauguration

In September 1950, a heliport located at the present-day parking lot for the Funivia's Borgo Maggiore terminus, inaugurated its first flights.

1957: Loss of Power by Communist Coalition

In 1957, the communist coalition in San Marino lost power through the fatti di Rovereta.

June 1959: Inauguration of Helicopter Line

On June 30, 1959, a helicopter line was inaugurated running between Borgo Maggiore and a heliport by Rimini's port. The Compagnia Italiana Elicotteri operated the service, using four-seater Bell 47J Rangers and a three-seater Agusta-Bell AB-47G helicopters.

August 1959: Cablecar System Inauguration

On August 1, 1959, the cablecar system in San Marino was inaugurated.

1960: Service by a station on the Rimini–Novafeltria railway Ends

In 1960, San Marino was no longer served by a station on the Rimini–Novafeltria railway in Torello.

1964: Helicopter Line Extended

In 1964, the helicopter line running between Borgo Maggiore and a heliport by Rimini's port was extended to San Leo. Tickets cost up to 12,500 lire and included the cablecar to the City of San Marino and a shuttle to the Leonine fortress.

1969: Helicopter Service Closure

In 1969, the helicopter service that ran between Borgo Maggiore and a heliport by Rimini's port was closed.

1976: Last Census

The previous census before 2010 was conducted in San Marino in 1976.

1977: Border Readjustment

In 1977, the border between Montefeltro and Rimini was readjusted, so that all of San Marino fell within the diocese of Montefeltro.

1977: Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro

The Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro was until 1977 the historic diocese of Montefeltro.

1981: First Use of Torraccia Airfield Runway

In 1981, the grass runway at Torraccia Airfield, San Marino's only aviation facility, was first used.

1984: Introduction of personal income tax

The personal income tax was introduced in San Marino in 1984.

1985: Opening of Torraccia Airfield Structure

In 1985, the structure of Torraccia Airfield was opened.

1987: Guard of the Rock statute

Under the 1987 statute, the Guard of the Rock are all enrolled as "Criminal Police Officers" (in addition to their military role) and assist the police in investigating major crime.

1988: Membership in the Council of Europe

In 1988, San Marino became a member of the Council of Europe.

1988: Apostolic Nunciature

Since 1988, there is formally an apostolic nunciature to the republic, but it is vested in the nuncio to Italy.

1992: Membership in the United Nations

In 1992, San Marino became a member of the United Nations.

1993: Draw with Turkey

In 1993, the San Marino national football team had a 0–0 draw with Turkey during the European qualifiers for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

1994: Fatal Accidents at San Marino Grand Prix

During the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna suffered fatal accidents at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.

1994: Gualtieri's Record Goal

During the European qualifiers for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Davide Gualtieri scored a goal 8.3 seconds into a match against England.

1995: Cablecar System Modernization

In 1995, the cablecar system in San Marino was modernized with double load-bearing cables built by Doppelmayr Italia.

1996: European Cup Tournament Hosted

In 1996, San Marino hosted the European Cup tournament for the continent's top club sides.

1996: Cablecar System Modernization Continued

In 1996, the cablecar system modernization that started in 1995 continued with double load-bearing cables built by Doppelmayr Italia.

1997: Museum of the Emigrant Opens

In 1997, the Museum of the Emigrant opened in the Monastery of Santa Chiara.

2000: European Cup Tournament Hosted

In 2000, San Marino hosted the European Cup tournament for the continent's top club sides.

2002: Acquisition of Stake in Fellini Airport

In 2002, the Sammarinese government acquired a 3% stake in Fellini Airport's management company, Aeradria, leading to the airport being officially named Rimini-San Marino Airport.

2004: European Cup Tournament Hosted

In 2004, San Marino hosted the European Cup tournament for the continent's top club sides.

2004: First Win

In 2004, the San Marino national football team achieved their first win with a 1–0 victory over Liechtenstein in a friendly match.

2006: European Cup Tournament Won

In 2006, San Marino won the European Cup tournament for baseball.

October 2007: Election of Mirko Tomassoni

In October 2007, Mirko Tomassoni was elected as captain regent, making him the first disabled person to hold that office.

2007: Casino outlawed

Casinos were outlawed in San Marino prior to 2007.

2007: European Cup Tournament Hosted

In 2007, San Marino hosted the European Cup tournament for the continent's top club sides.

2007: San Marino Grand Prix Removed

In 2007, the San Marino Grand Prix was removed from the Formula One calendar.

2007: Motorcycle Grand Prix Reinstated

In 2007, the San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix was reinstated in the schedule and takes place at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

2008: New Election Law and General Election

In 2008, San Marino introduced a new election law that raised the threshold for small parties entering Parliament, leading to the formation of two alliances: the right-wing Pact for San Marino and the left-wing Reforms and Freedom. The Pact for San Marino won the 2008 general election with 35 seats.

2008: UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2008, the site San Marino: Historic Centre and Mount Titano became part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

2010: Census Conducted

In 2010, San Marino conducted its first census since 1976.

2011: Catholic Population

In 2011, 97.2% of the population of San Marino professed the Catholic faith, with approximately half regularly attending church.

2011: European Cup Tournament Won

In 2011, San Marino won the European Cup tournament for baseball.

2011: Census Results Expected

In 2011, the results of the 2010 census in San Marino were expected; however, 13% of families did not return their forms.

July 2012: Runway Extension at Torraccia Airfield

In July 2012, the runway at Torraccia Airfield was extended to 650 meters (2,130 feet).

2012: Jewish Population

As of 2012, few Jews remain in San Marino after the country provided a haven for more than 100,000 Jews and other Italians from Nazi persecution during World War II.

2012: Heritage Railway Opens

In 2012, San Marino opened an 800-metre heritage railway.

September 2013: Ratification of Bilateral Agreement

On September 16, 2013, a significant bilateral agreement was ratified, granting San Marino a forty-year concession over some areas of Fellini Airport for a private terminal with customs border.

2013: Reforms to personal income tax

In 2013, the personal income tax in San Marino underwent significant reforms to enhance fiscal revenue.

October 2014: Number of Female Heads of State

As of October 2014, San Marino had more female heads of state than any other country, with 15, including three who served twice.

2014: European Cup Tournament Won

In 2014, San Marino won the European Cup tournament for baseball.

2014: Eurovision Final Qualification

In 2014, Valentina Monetta with "Maybe" qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest final.

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2014: Tourism Statistics

In 2014, the tourism sector contributed over 22% of San Marino's GDP, with approximately 2 million tourists visiting. Tourists typically spent about 2 nights, resulting in an average tourist presence of one per three residents at any given time.

2016: Record for Fastest Goal Broken

In 2016, the record for the fastest goal in international football, previously held by Davide Gualtieri, was broken.

2017: Cablecar System Renovation

In spring 2017, the cablecar system in San Marino underwent further renovation.

June 2018: Airport Terminal Repainting

In June 2018, Ariminum, the successor to Aeradria as Fellini Airport's management company, repainted the airport terminal to read Aeroporto Internazionale di Rimini e San Marino (Rimini and San Marino International Airport).

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index Ranking

In 2019, San Marino had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 0.01/10, ranking it last globally out of 172 countries.

2019: UEFA European Under-21 Championship

In 2019, San Marino, together with Italy, held the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, with teams playing at the Stadio Olimpico in Serravalle.

2019: Eurovision Final Qualification

In 2019, Turkish singer Serhat with "Say Na Na Na" qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest final and achieved 19th place.

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2019: Inauguration of Dialogue Sculpture

In 2019, the sculpture 'Dialogue' by Michele Chiaruzzi was inaugurated at Saint Anne Chapel, marking the first monument devoted to interfaith dialogue.

2020: Olympic Medal Earned

At the 2020 Summer Olympics, San Marino became the smallest country to earn an Olympic medal when Alessandra Perilli won a bronze medal in the women's trap. They later won another medal, this one silver, with Perilli's and Gian Marco Berti's performance in the mixed trap shooting event.

2020: Akademio Internacia Dissolved

In 2020, the Akademio Internacia de la Sciencoj San Marino was dissolved.

2021: Eurovision Final Qualification

In 2021, Italian singer Senhit along with American rapper Flo Rida qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest final with the song "Adrenalina".

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April 2022: Election of Paolo Rondelli

In April 2022, Paolo Rondelli was elected as one of the two captains regent. He is the world's first openly gay head of state, and had previously served as the Ambassador to the United States.

August 2023: Lack of Sammarinese Presence at Airport

As of August 2023, Sammarinese authorities still have no presence at Fellini Airport, despite a bilateral agreement providing for a private terminal and customs border.

September 2023: Population Estimate

As of September 2023, the population of San Marino is estimated to be 33,896 residents, with 28,226 having Sammarinese citizenship and 4,881 having Italian citizenship.

December 2023: Bus Routes in San Marino

As of December 2023, eight bus routes operate entirely within San Marino, mostly starting in the City of San Marino and serving nearby areas. Start Romagna SpA operates routes near the border, connecting to Italian cities.

2023: Car Ownership Rate

As of October 3rd, 2023, San Marino has the world's third-highest rate of car ownership, being one of only a handful of countries with more vehicles than people.